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Jacob Magid

Jacob Magid

The Times of Israel

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Rubio ‘optimistic’ Gaza war could end soon, but admits having felt same way before

US secretary of state predicts more countries will join Abraham Accords by end of the year, while acknowledging Saudi Arabia has ‘certain...

yesterday 30

The Times of Israel

Jacob Magid

Rubio: US ‘pleased’ by lifting of Gaza aid blockade, but deliveries still not enough

Secretary confirms administration reaching out to countries to see if they’ll temporarily take in those looking to leave Strip, but says...

previous day 9

The Times of Israel

Jacob Magid

US says it wants Gaza war to end, but denies threatening Israel if it doesn’t comply

US, Palestinian officials quash speculation that aid to Gaza stemmed from US deal with Hamas; Huckabee says report that Trump will...

tuesday 60

The Times of Israel

Jacob Magid

Vance says logistics scotched Israel trip, after report said it was differences over Gaza op

Possible visit by US vice president this week was said to be forestalled to avoid showing US support for expanded IDF activities in Gaza; Vance says...

19.05.2025 20

The Times of Israel

Jacob Magid

Witkoff says US ‘red line’ in Iran talks is any ability for Tehran to enrich uranium

As US-Iran talks enter technical phase, Islamic Republic insists on right to enrichment, says it hasn’t received US proposal and warns diplomacy...

19.05.2025 40

The Times of Israel

Jacob Magid

Witkoff told mediators US not planning to force Israel to end Gaza war, officials say

Arab sources tell ToI Trump envoy currently working to coax Hamas to release smaller number of hostages than what Israel has been demanding, hoping to...

16.05.2025 30

The Times of Israel

Jacob Magid

Rubio ‘troubled’ by Gaza humanitarian crisis, urges solutions around Hamas aid theft

Secretary says he spoke to Netanyahu but avoids specifying whether he pushed PM to lift blockade; recognizes criticism of new initiative, asserts...

16.05.2025 10

The Times of Israel

Jacob Magid

Hostage talks kick off in Doha, but PM’s insistence on not ending war curbs optimism

Witkoff holds 2 hour call with Netanyahu, but fails to extract major compromise; US pressure on parties expected to ramp up in next 48 hours; Hamas...

15.05.2025 30

The Times of Israel

Jacob Magid

New aid group: We’ll start Gaza operations by June; Israel to lift blockade in interim

Organization says Israel will establish more distribution sites throughout Strip after initially only agreeing to 4 in the south; US still working to...

15.05.2025 50

The Times of Israel

Jacob Magid

Palestinian-US political activist operated key backchannel in Edan Alexander’s release

Bishara Bahbah passed messages between Witkoff and senior Hamas official Ghazi Hamad, and succeeded in convincing terror group to free the...

14.05.2025 30

The Times of Israel

Jacob Magid

Visiting Riyadh, Trump tells Saudi Arabia: You’ll join Abraham Accords in your own time

US president acknowledges hosts not rushing to normalize ties with current Israeli government as Gaza conflict rages, says he’s working to end the...

14.05.2025 50

The Times of Israel

Jacob Magid

Backchannel helped secure release of American-Israeli hostage, sources tell ToI

Witkoff was kept in loop about talks 3rd-party mediator held with Hamas that managed to convince the terror group to free the 21-year-old...

12.05.2025 80

The Times of Israel

Jacob Magid

Hamas set to free US-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander Monday in goodwill gesture to Trump

Israel wasn’t told in advance about release, which is being made unconditionally by Hamas in hope that US will coax Jerusalem to accept deal to end...

12.05.2025 100

The Times of Israel

Jacob Magid

UAE rejects Israeli request to fund Gaza aid plan, says it fails to address crisis

Emirati official says country could change stance if initiative amended to meet dire needs, but initial refusal marks major blow to plan not yet fully...

10.05.2025 50

The Times of Israel

Jacob Magid

Witkoff: Iran must dismantle uranium enrichment facilities, ship material ‘far away’

US special envoy says Tehran can expand civilian nuclear activites but must get rid of all centrifuges, as talks set to resume in Oman on Sunday

10.05.2025 20

The Times of Israel

Jacob Magid

Israeli plan to initially only feed 60% of Gazans, as they endure ‘extreme deprivation’

Foundation set up to manage aid distribution sends memo to potential donors, acknowledging 1st stage will only provide for some 1.2 million people for...

09.05.2025 60

The Times of Israel

Jacob Magid

Trump: Iran’s centrifuges will either ‘blow up nicely’ in a deal or ‘viciously’ without one

But hours earlier, president told reporters he hasn’t decided whether he’ll allow Iran to have a limited enrichment program and nodded at Houthi...

08.05.2025 40

The Times of Israel

Jacob Magid

US pressuring humanitarian groups to get behind Israeli aid plan for Gaza

Trump administration indicating to organizations, such as World Food Program, that their US funding could be slashed if they don’t take part in...

08.05.2025 60

The Times of Israel

Jacob Magid

US cuts separate reporting channel for its diplomats covering Palestinians

US Office of Palestinian Affairs will be merged fully back into US Embassy in Jerusalem, effectively downgrading ties with Palestinians after brief...

07.05.2025 10

The Times of Israel

Jacob Magid

Trump says number of living hostages dropped to 21; Israel: figure remains at 24

Source says discrepancy due to fact that Israel not updating its figure unless it has definitively confirmed a hostage’s death, even though it may...

07.05.2025 60

The Times of Israel

Jacob Magid

Trump says he’s not planning to stop in Israel on next week’s Mideast trip

US president says he’ll visit Jewish state ‘at some point,’ teases ‘very, very, very big announcement’ that will be made before he leaves...

07.05.2025 50

The Times of Israel

Jacob Magid

Witkoff urges Israelis to ‘choose unity over division’ on ‘bittersweet’ Independence Day

Addressing Israeli embassy event, Trump envoy expresses support for ‘aid initiatives underway’ in Gaza, says Abraham Accords announcement on...

06.05.2025 40

The Times of Israel

Jacob Magid

Trump: We’ll help ‘starving’ Gazans get food, but Hamas ‘making it impossible’

US president says Gazans ‘treated very badly’ by Hamas, as Israel works on new aid mechanism to prevent aid pillaging; Ben Gvir: Only aid to Gaza...

06.05.2025 30

The Times of Israel

Jacob Magid

Trump, Erdogan discuss Gaza, Syria in ‘good and productive’ phone conversation

US president says Turkish leader will visit DC in future, touts potential for working together to end Ukraine war; Ankara’s readout stresses issue...

06.05.2025 40

The Times of Israel

Jacob Magid

PM: Qatar ‘playing both sides’; Doha: he’s trying to justify crimes against civilians

Barbs come days after Qatar accused Israel of genocide during ICJ hearing; Doha spokesperson says Netanyahu’s portrayal of Gaza op as ‘defense of...

04.05.2025 50

The Times of Israel

Jacob Magid

Trump: Fewer than 24 hostages are alive; we don’t know how Edan Alexander is doing

US president echoes comments made by Sara Netanyahu, which infuriated families as they were not updated before reported divulgence of partially...

02.05.2025 40

The Times of Israel

Jacob Magid

US hostage families see Trump’s May trip to region as chance for loved one’s return

Parents of American-Israeli captives pan Netanyahu’s handling of negotiations, fearing he’s using military pressure only for purposes of ensuring...

01.05.2025 10

The Times of Israel

Jacob Magid

US plans to eliminate security post tasked with bolstering Israel-PA security ties

US official says move not final until announcement, but acknowledges office of 3-star general in Jerusalem is currently on chopping block as part of...

30.04.2025 30

The Times of Israel

Jacob Magid

Swiss fencers apologize for turning backs on Israeli flag, anthem after loss

Members of youth team says they meant no disrespect; rather, they aimed to express their ‘sadness and empathy for the great human suffering of the...

29.04.2025 70

The Times of Israel

Jacob Magid

Mahmoud Abbas’s newly anointed deputy to make first diplomatic visit to Saudi Arabia

Aiming to boost his standing among Palestinians and abroad, Hussein al-Sheikh will meet next week with top Saudi officials in preparation for...

29.04.2025 40

The Times of Israel

Jacob Magid

Ben Gvir meets 4 GOP lawmakers on Capitol Hill, expanding inroads in US politics

Legislators, including chair of key House panel, meet far-right minister whom Biden considered sanctioning; ‘I think they really liked what they...

29.04.2025 60

The Times of Israel

Jacob Magid

Top Biden aide: Israel missed opportunity for Saudi deal; hopefully it won’t do so again

In interviews with Israeli investigative TV program, nine senior officials from previous US administration vent their frustrations in dealing with...

28.04.2025 70

The Times of Israel

Jacob Magid

In first since Trump’s return, PA intel chief to meet CIA officials in Washington

Majed Faraj in US for medical procedure, but will use opportunity to meet with American counterparts and bolster his standing amid Abbas plan to...

28.04.2025 40

The Times of Israel

Jacob Magid

Arab source: To shield Netanyahu, Israel leaking false claim Qatar sabotaged talks

Non-Qatari official says PM’s demands have made reaching an agreement with Hamas nearly impossible, amid Israeli reports Doha encouraged terror...

27.04.2025 9

The Times of Israel

Jacob Magid

GOP lawmaker cautions Israel against ‘dividing’ Syria, after meeting with Sharaa

Marlin Stutzman says new Syrian leader signaled openness to Israel normalization, but listed concerns to be addressed first, notably not including...

27.04.2025 20

The Times of Israel

Jacob Magid

Trump says he told Netanyahu ‘we’ve got to be good to Gaza’ and get more aid in

US president says he told PM ‘those people are suffering’ in enclave: ‘There’s a very big need for food, medicine. We’re taking care of...

26.04.2025 20

The Times of Israel

Jacob Magid

Father of American-Israeli hostage urges Boehler’s return to negotiating table

Adi Alexander says closest Edan got to release from captivity was during talks Trump’s hostage envoy held with Hamas, which were abandoned following...

23.04.2025 20

The Times of Israel

Jacob Magid

Trump after call with Netanyahu: ‘We’re on the same side of every issue’

US president says they discussed trade and Iran, but makes no mention of Gaza or hostages, as White House announces his travel to Saudi Arabia, Qatar...

23.04.2025 40

The Times of Israel

Jacob Magid

Iranian press cautiously optimistic on nuclear talks, touts Tehran’s leverage

Conservative Kayhan newspaper says ‘Iran’s military might has forced America to negotiate’; country still refusing to dismantle...

20.04.2025 20

The Times of Israel

Jacob Magid

Hamas says it won’t develop weapons, dig tunnels during long-term truce with Israel

In nonstarter for Israel, terror group is seeking comprehensive deal under which it would cede control of Gaza’s governance but would stop short...

20.04.2025 20

The Times of Israel

Jacob Magid

US envoy: I’m sure Edan Alexander is in a decent place; we’ll come for Hamas if he’s harmed

Adam Boehler says could resume direct talks with Hamas, after they fell apart in March amid Israeli pushback; claims offer he made in those talks was...

17.04.2025 30

The Times of Israel

Jacob Magid

Warrant: Arsonist targeted Penn. governor over his ‘plans for the Palestinians’

Cody Balmer, alleged perpetrator of attack on Josh Shapiro’s residence on Passover eve, reportedly tells police he went after him for...

17.04.2025 30

The Times of Israel

Jacob Magid

Hostage’s father to PM: How do you plan on freeing last captive without ending war?

Adi Alexander wonders whether Trump, who campaigned on ending the Gaza war, will lose patience as conflict drags on without release of additional...

16.04.2025 20

The Times of Israel

Jacob Magid

Witkoff indicates US seeks to cap Iran uranium enrichment, not dismantle nuclear program

Trump’s envoy focuses on importance of enrichment levels during media interview on negotiations; confusion over where second round of talks to be...

15.04.2025 50

The Times of Israel

Jacob Magid

Gaza hostage talks still stalled, official says, amid reports of incremental progress

Hamas says it is studying new Israeli proposal, but official from group reiterates that it won’t disarm and wants permanent end to war in what...

15.04.2025 50

The Times of Israel

Jacob Magid

Trump: ‘I’ll solve the Iran problem; if we have to do something very harsh, we’ll do it’

President issues threat of military action, even as countries hold talks on regime’s nuclear program; US Air Force posts video year after helping...

15.04.2025 40

The Times of Israel

Jacob Magid

Trump envoy and Iranian FM meet after first round of nuclear talks in Oman

Further talks to be held next weekend after ‘positive’ meeting in Muscat, according to top Iranian diplomat, who says US wants to reach a new...

12.04.2025 20

The Times of Israel

Jacob Magid

Israel submits softened hostage deal offer as Hamas delegation heads to Cairo

Officials tell ToI that Israel slightly reduced the number of living hostages it is demanding but wants speedier releases; agreed to withdraw from...

12.04.2025 40

The Times of Israel

Jacob Magid

PA invites US to verify that controversial prisoner payment system no longer in place

Top Abbas aide sends letter to Rubio welcoming Trump delegation to come to Ramallah and certify that new welfare system up and running starting June...

11.04.2025 10

The Times of Israel

Jacob Magid

Trump: Israel would ‘be the leader’ of strike on Iran if nuclear talks fall apart

US president adds however that Washington will make the decisions; Netanyahu’s cabinet secretary says PM was surprised that direct US-Iran talks are...

10.04.2025 30

The Times of Israel

Jacob Magid