Day 249 - Blinken meets with PM, hostage families in push for 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. It is day 249 of the war with Hamas. Political correspondent Tal Schneider join host Jessica Steinberg for today's episode. Schneider discusses latest regarding hostage deal, including Channel 12 release of details regarding permanent ceasefire, countering Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's ongoing statements about not ending the war. She also speaks about the US proposal for a hostage deal for captives with US citizenship, and what could be discussed regarding that possibility with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Israel Tuesday. Schneider then looks at discussions in the Knesset on Monday, following Knesset member Benny Gantz's resignation from the coalition and war cabinet, and how that could affect the rest of the Netanyahu coalition. She speaks about the vote and Knesset approval to revive an ultra-Orthodox enlistment bill that would lower the current age of exemption from service for Haredi yeshiva students from 26 to 21. The only coalition member to vote against the bill was Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, a brave political move for him, says Schneider, but unclear how that will affect the bill or coalition going forward. Steinberg mentions the Shavuot cookbook put together by the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, with recipes and stories about hostages from their families and loved ones, as they move forward into another holiday. For more updates, please check out The Times of Israel's ongoing live blog. Discussed articles include: Israel’s full offer said to provide for ‘permanent’ truce before all hostages return Blinken discusses hostage proposal, ‘day after’ Gaza war in meeting with Netanyahu Knesset approves revival of ultra-Orthodox enlistment bill; Gallant votes against Gantz quits war government, says PM preventing ‘true victory’ over Hamas, urges elections Hostages’ families share favorite Shavuot recipes as they hold out hope for loved ones 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 Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by the Pod-Waves.  IMAGE: Hostage families wait outside Tel Aviv's Kempinski Hotel on June 11, 2024 to meet with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (Credit Yael Gadot)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.