Is Hamas poised to infiltrate new Gaza police force?

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.

Archaeology reporter Rossella Tercatin and diplomatic reporter Nava Freiberg join host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode.

If Iran attacks Israel, it will be “perhaps the most serious mistake in their history,” warned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday evening, threatening an overwhelming response to any aggression. As the world awaits US President Donald Trump's State of the Union address tonight, Freiberg updates us with the push-pull diplomacy of the past day.

The Palestinian technocratic body tasked with managing postwar Gaza announced last week that it was opening applications for “qualified candidates” seeking to serve in a “transitional police force” to be deployed in the Strip. This comes as Hamas appears poised to keep hold of its control of civilian and security infrastructure even as the Trump peace plan moves ahead.

The Great Isaiah Scroll, the oldest nearly complete book from the Hebrew Bible ever found, is on display in its full length for the first time since 1968. Tercatin was on hand at Jerusalem's Israel Museum for the unveiling and fills us in.

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

For further reading:

Trump said frustrated with limits of military leverage against Iran

Netanyahu: An attack on Israel would be ‘most serious mistake’ in Iranian history

Hamas seen working to maintain control of Gaza via Trump-backed bodies

Gaza oversight committee seeks ‘qualified’ candidates to join Strip’s police force

Great Isaiah Scroll, oldest near-complete biblical book ever found, on show in entirety for 1st time since 1968

Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. Ari Schlacht produced this episode.

IMAGE: Hamas gunmen in the Shijaiyah neighborhood of Gaza City, November 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi)

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