Day 61 - As fierce battles rage in Strip, Gazans heed IDF warnings

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. Today is day 61 of the war. Military correspondent Emanuel Fabian and settlements reporter Jeremy Sharon join host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's podcast. The IDF says "fierce battles" with Hamas operatives in the Gaza Strip continue. As of this morning, 83 soldiers have died in the Gaza ground offensive, as the Air Force continues to carry out strikes against more than 250 targets over the past day. Fabian describes what is happening on the ground, as well as an idea to flood terror tunnels. In a rare statement, the Israel Defense Forces on Tuesday expressed regret for killing a Lebanese soldier while striking a Hezbollah-linked target earlier in the day, the first such death since cross-border hostilities began in October. What does this apology represent? A European Union-funded school and some 10 homes in a village of the South Hebron Hills region of the West Bank have been demolished by "unknown parties" Sharon describes the incident and puts it into context with other attacks on activists who are attempting to protect Palestinians in the West Bank. For the latest updates, please look at The Times of Israel’s ongoing live blog. Discussed articles include: Live blog December 6, 2023 IDF steps up fight against Hamas in south Gaza; UN says 80% of population displaced IDF chief: Flooding Gaza tunnels with seawater ‘a good idea’; Khan Younis surrounded IDF issues rare apology after strike kills Lebanese soldier Homes and EU-funded school in West Bank village wrecked after threats by settlers THOSE WE HAVE LOST: Civilians and soldiers killed in Hamas's onslaught on Israel THOSE WE ARE MISSING: The hostages and victims whose fate is still unknown Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on iTunes, Spotify, PlayerFM, Google Play, or wherever you get your podcasts. IMAGE: A temporary camp near the Egyptian border in Rafah set up for Palestinians who evacuated their homes in the southern Gaza Strip, December 5, 2023. (Atia Mohammed/Flash90)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.