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 Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode. US President Donald Trump indicated during a Wednesday cabinet meeting that progress in talks with Iran on a deal to end the war had slowed, departing from his assertion at the start of the week that an agreement was nearly finalized. On Thursday, Israelis awoke to the news that the US had struck Iranian targets for a second time this week for "defensive" purposes. Later in the morning, it was reported that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps targeted an American base in retaliation for US strikes on the country’s south. At the same time, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has instructed the IDF to broaden its activities against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. Magid helps us unravel where things stand in the negotiations, even as the ceasefire appears to be evermore fragile and the chances for a deal increasingly remote. Also during the Wednesday cabinet meeting, for the second time this week, the president suggested he may not sign a deal with Iran if neighboring Gulf countries do not normalize ties with Israel under the Abraham Accords. Magid explains how this stance could actually blow up in the face of the US. In the second half of our program, we turn to the leadership vacuum in the Gaza Strip. Hamas on Wednesday confirmed the death of Mohammed Odeh, the newly appointed head of the terror group’s military wing, who Israel killed in a strike in Gaza City. Whatever happened with last month's elections to appoint a new Hamas head? And finally, we hear the scoop behind Shin Bet chief David Zini's meeting with the Palestinian Authority’s exiled former Gaza security chief Mohammed Dahlan during a recent visit to the United Arab Emirates. Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates. For further reading: Trump says US ‘not satisfied’ in talks with Iran, days after claiming deal imminent Soldier killed in Hezbollah drone attack as Israel widens strikes on terror group Hamas confirms death of military chief Mohammed Odeh; defiant funeral held in Gaza City Shin Bet head met exiled PA Gaza security chief Dahlan in UAE — sources Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Ari Schlacht.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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