Lebanon and Israel get talking, with shared goal to disarm Hezbollah

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. ToI founding editor David Horovitz joins host Jessica Steinberg for today's episode. As Israel marks Holocaust Remembrance Day, Horovitz discusses comments made by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at his pre-recorded speech at Yad Vashem, in which he focused on the blows dealt to the Iranian regime by Israel and the US on behalf of the free world. While mediators aim to maneuver the US and Iran back to talks, Horovitz reviews the gaps between Tehran and Washington, the newly declared US naval blockade on Iran, and the acute dangers of the patient, malevolent regime's survival. With Israeli and Lebanese ambassadors heading to a first, single meeting on Tuesday in Washington, Horovitz notes that both sides have the same goal, disarming Hezbollah, while the terrorist army wants to stop the talks. Finally, Horovitz briefly discusses Peter Magyar's landslide victory in Hungary, a blow for US President Donald Trump and the Israeli premier, creating a shift, too, in the EU. Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates. For further reading: Netanyahu rebukes Europe as Israel commemorates Holocaust in shadow of Iran war Vance: Lot of progress made in talks toward ‘grand deal,’ but ball in Iran’s court US positions warships in region as it moves to enforce naval blockade of Iran Officials seek to temper expectations as Israel, Lebanon envoys set to hold historic meeting Hungary’s PM-elect vows return to ICC, but stresses ‘special relationship’ with Israel 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: An IDF Merkava tank in southern Lebanon by the border with northern Israel on March 27, 2026 (Jalaa Marey/AFP)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.