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.

US President Donald Trump unexpectedly announces an extension of the truce with Iran hours before the April 22 deadline, reports Magid, adding that the president's recent spate of muddled messaging hasn't helped matters. Magid notes that a divide within the Iranian leadership is slowing decision-making, as it continues to play hardball.

US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee heads to the US for a second round of Israel-Lebanon talks that appear to have some momentum, says Magid, but will require the ability of the Lebanese government to crack down on Hezbollah if any real progress is to be made.

Magid notes that the April 11 deadline set by the Board of Peace for Hamas to respond to the disarmament deal has passed. Hamas doesn't want to be blamed for the collapse of talks, says Magid, but the Board of Peace is still aiming for a phased disarmament.

Finally, Magid reports on another deadly incident in the central West Bank village in which two Palestinians were killed, allegedly shot by an IDF reservist from the Hagmar regional defense unit.

Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates.

For further reading:

In major about-face, Trump announces extension of Iran truce hours before deadline

Vance reportedly set to depart for Pakistan, but still unclear if Iran will join talks

New round of Israel-Lebanon talks set for Thursday as US said trying to extend truce

‘They’re not easy’: Board of Peace envoy admits Hamas disarmament talks stalled

2 Palestinians, one of them 14, killed in alleged settler attack in West Bank

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.

IMAGE: US bureau chief Jacob Magid joins host Jessica Steinberg on today's Daily Briefing (ToI)

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Welcome to What Matters Now, a weekly podcast exploring key issues currently shaping Israel and the Jewish World, with host Jessica Steinberg speaking with author Rachel Goldberg-Polin.

Rachel Goldberg-Polin began writing her new book, "When We See You Again," as a way of finding some relief from her pain after she buried her son, 23-year-old Hersh Goldberg-Polin, who was executed by his Hamas captors in August 2024, after being held captive for 330 days in a Gaza tunnel.

Goldberg-Polin speaks about the process of writing the book, urged by her husband, Jon Polin, and how the book became a kind of answer to people asking her how she was.

The bulk of the book takes place after the Goldberg-Polins buried Hersh on August 31, 2024, and is an accounting of their lives in what Goldberg-Polin terms the Before and After.

What Matters Now podcasts are available for download on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Ari Schlacht.

IMAGE: Author Rachel Goldberg-Polin joins host Jessica Steinberg for an episode of What Matters Now

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.

Tech editor Sharon Wrobel joins host Jessica Steinberg for today's episode.

As the shekel crossed the below-3-to-the-dollar threshold, its strongest level in 30 years, Wrobel notes that the shekel's strength against the dollar shows its resilience and the market's belief in the currency following the war with Iran, although it does create problems for Israeli exporters.

With Israeli airspace reopened following the ceasefire with Iran, Wrobel reports on how Israeli airlines are responding to passengers as they work at getting back to full speed.

Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates.

For further reading:

Shekel breaks below 3 to the dollar in first since 1995; exporters warn of economy risk

Israeli airlines accused of reselling stranded customers’ seats for wartime windfall

Comptroller pans government for failing to plan for air travel turbulence during war

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.

IMAGE: Tech editor Sharon Wrobel joins host Jessica Steinberg on today's Daily Briefing. (ToI)

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.