Political correspondent Tal Schneider and reporter Sue Surkes join host Jessica Steinberg for today's episode. The security cabinet met for some six hours on Sunday night, but didn't raise the current hostage deal during last night's lengthy meeting, according to Schneider. There was reportedly a discussion of extending Israeli sovereignty to the West Bank, as a possible response to the expected announcements of a Palestinian state later this month. Schneider also mentions the disagreements among security officials regarding the planned military incursion in Gaza, pointing out that any final decision is by the security cabinet, and the military has to comply with their decision. As President Trump reportedly considers a plan to evacuate Palestinians as part of a postwar Gaza plan, Schneider analyzes that it appears to be planned by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, the organization handling the food distribution in the Gaza Strip. The plan includes having a portion of the population leave and setting up enclaves inside Gaza for those who remain, a plan that Schneider says seems far-fetched. Two surveys issued in the run-up to the new school year highlight persistent socio-economic gaps between schoolchildren, says Surkes, pointing to a lack of funds in low-income families for afterschool activities and the struggle to afford certain kinds of healthier foods. The legendary Nahal military group that once primarily served agricultural communities is returning to its roots, according to Surkes, with pre-army volunteers serving in the kibbutz communities along the Gaza and northern borders. Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates. For further reading: Security cabinet meets, reportedly discusses West Bank annexation but not hostage deal Trump said weighing plan to pay Gazans to leave, put Strip under US-run trusteeship As children go back to school, two reports detail vast socio-economic gaps From Sept. 1, the storied Nahal military group will return to its agricultural roots Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Adina Karpuj. IMAGE: Palestinians carry food parcels and supplies from a GHF aid distribution point in central Gaza, August 5, 2025. (Photo by Ali Hassan/Flash90)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ask this episode

“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.

Transcript

Related