Tug of War

US President Joe Biden says Biden says he will stop sending bombs and artillery shells to Israel if it launches a major invasion of Rafah. It comes as his administration is set to deliver a report to Congress on whether Israel has violated international humanitarian law during its war in Gaza. In this episode, CNN's Kylie Atwood explains how this moment could be a turning point for US-Israel relations. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On Tuesday, Israel's military seized the Palestinian side of theRafah crossing, warning its military operation in the southern city would move forward, even as ceasefire talks continue. Airstrikes have rocked eastern Rafah, displacing many fearful Palestinians yet again.Israel meanwhile says the terms of a ceasefire proposal accepted by Hamas were "far from" meeting its demands. In this episode, CNN's Jeremy Diamond explains how the military pressure is impacting the ongoing talks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Around the world, some students have staged protests in solidarity with pro-Palestinian protestors on US college campuses – including in Iran. Anger against Israel and the US is still simmering after an unprecedented aerial attack from Iran on Israel was foiled. In this episode, CNN's Fred Pleitgen joins us from Tehran and explains how Iranian military officials are evaluating the latest escalation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hamas is considering a new framework for a hostage release and ceasefire proposal put forward by Egypt. It comes amid fears that Israel will launch a ground offensive into Rafah whether or not a deal is reached. In this episode, CNN's Becky Anderson tells us about the parameters and examines a longshot push to normalize relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On Wednesday, Hamas released a video of Israeli-American hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin, giving his family hope that he is still alive despite being badly wounded when he was abducted on October 7th. However, Israel’s government says at least 129 hostages remain in Gaza with dozens of those feared dead. In this episode, CNN's Jeremy Diamond examines why Hamas released this video now and looks at the state of negotiations over a hostage release and ceasefire. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other senior Israeli ministers have lashed out against reported plans by the United States to sanction an Israeli military unit for alleged human rights abuses against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank. The uproar comes amidst an uptick in violence against Palestinians in the territory. In this episode, CNN's Nada Bashir examines why the reported plans have struck a nerve and gives us an update on the dire situation inside Gaza. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A US official tells CNN that Israel carried out a military strike inside Iran on Thursday night, the latest dangerous escalation between the two countries. Israelhas not commented and Iran has not yet identified the source of the attack. In this episode, CNN's Jeremy Diamond examines what we know and whether this latest round of back-and-forth is over. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

While Iran’s air attack on Israel over the weekend was uniquely brazen, experts say the two nations have been engaged in a ‘shadow war’ through proxies and covert actions for decades. In this episode, CNN's Nic Robertson looks at what two past Israeli attacks can tell us about how they may respond in this case. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After Iran’s unprecedented attack onIsrael over the weekend, Israeli officials have been debating how to respond. Meanwhile, members of the Biden administration have told Israel that the US will not participate in any offensive action against Iran, according to US officials familiar with the matter. In this episode, CNN’s Jeremy Diamond tells us how the Israeli war cabinet is thinking about this perilous moment. -- Tug of War has been nominated for a Webby Award in the News & Politics category. Please click on the link and vote for us. Thank you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On Saturday, Iranlauncheda barrage of missilestoward Israel from Iranian territory inretaliationfor a suspected Israeli strike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus earlier this month. US air defenses jumped in to intercept some Iranian drones in defense of Israel. In this episode, CNN’s Clarissa Ward examines what the dramatic escalation could mean for the region and ongoing war in Gaza. -- Tug of War has been nominated for a Webby Award in the News & Politics category. Please click on the link and vote for us. Thank you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices