Day 336 - Blinken spins positive on potential hostage deal

Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world. US bureau chief Jacob Magid joins host Jessica Steinberg for today's episode. Magid says the Biden administration has a slightly more positive outlook regarding the hostage negotiations, indicating that Israel and Hamas have reached an agreement on some 90% of the issues in the potential hostage deal. The two thorniest remaining issues are the Philadelphi corridor and which Palestinian prisoners would be released, which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said are two major issues. He also comments on Israeli negotiators telling mediators they still support a complete withdrawal of the IDF from the Philadelphi Corridor, and the prime minister's "wishywashy" comments and double-speak on that topic to the Israeli press, foreign press and Fox News in the last week, as the prime minister wants to "appear tougher." Magid turns to the US elections, and remarks made by presidential candidate Donald Trump questioning the continued existence of the state of Israel if Democratic candidate, Vice President Kamala Harris, is elected. For news updates, please check out The Times of Israel’s ongoing live blog. Discussed articles include: ‘It must serve as wakeup call’: Hersh’s family okays release of Hamas propaganda clip Blinken indicates mediators will present updated hostage deal offer to Israel, Hamas ‘in coming days’ US: 2 issues holding up deal, Netanyahu comments on Philadelphi make things ‘difficult’ Israel assured Qatar IDF would fully pull out of Philadelphi in ceasefire’s 2nd phase Vote for me or Israel will be annihilated, Trump says in pitch to Republican Jews Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by the Pod Waves. IMAGE: U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken gives a press conference at the end of his one-day visit to Haiti, at the Toussaint Louverture International Airport in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024. (Roberto Schmidt/Pool photo via AP)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.