Day 622 - Iran hits Israeli hospital, will US join the fray?

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.

Following the early morning Iranian rocket attack that directly hit Beersheba's Soroka Medical Center and buildings in Ramat Gan and Holon, Magid discusses the likelihood of the US getting involved in the Israel-Iran conflict. He notes that the stance of US President Donald Trump regarding US involvement has shifted dramatically in recent days, moving from very unlikely to highly possible.

Magid also discusses how Republican support for Israel is divided on the issue of the US intervention in the Iranian conflict, with some Republican politicians making it clear that they support the steps that Israel has taken, while others are against the US getting involved in a conflict far from US soil.

As 85 trucks of humanitarian aid entered Gaza on Wednesday, Magid discusses the ongoing challenges of aid distribution being handled by the Israeli-US Gaza Humanitarian Foundation.

He also talks about the latest offer for hostage negotiations, as Egypt offers to host representatives of Israel and Hamas in Sharm el-Sheikh, which is accessible for the Israeli team, given the closure of Israel's airports during the Iran conflict.

Israel believes that its strikes against Iran will help in talks with Hamas to reach a ceasefire deal, says Magid.

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

For further reading:

‘Nobody knows what I’m going to do’: Trump won’t say whether he’ll strike Iran

Trump speaks with Netanyahu and advisers as he weighs strike on Iran

Trump demands Iran’s ‘unconditional surrender,’ says US won’t kill Khamenei ‘for now’

Netanyahu says Israel won’t rule out killing Khamenei: It would ‘end the conflict’

US embassy working on plans to evacuate citizens seeking to leave Israel

Egypt pushing to host hostage talks, but Israel holding off for now

Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by the Pod-Waves.

IMAGE: Smoke rises from where a ballistic missile fired from Iran hit Soroka Medical Center in Be'er Sheva, June 19, 2025 (Credit: Dudu Greenspan/Flash90)

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