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.

Diplomatic correspondent Lazar Berman joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today’s episode.

During today’s day of disruption in the capital, protesters calling for a hostage deal have escalated their tactics, including torching bins in Jerusalem — which police said damaged a car and caused nearby residents to be evacuated — and climbing onto the roof of the National Library, near the Knesset, to hang banners. The activists are pushing for renewed ceasefire-hostage release negotiations this week ahead of the IDF’s “Gideon’s Chariots B” operation. Berman updates us on the communication among the mediation teams.

The IDF said today that it is boosting operational and logistical preparedness for reservists called up for its planned Gaza City offensive. Over the coming weeks, troops will participate in open-terrain and urban warfare exercises to strengthen readiness across the Gaza Strip. At........

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