Day 374 - Drone takes heavy toll in perfect storm at IDF base

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.

Zman Yisrael editor Biranit Goren and reporter Sue Surkes join host Amanda Borschel-Dan in today's episode.

Four IDF soldiers were killed and 58 others were wounded by a Hezbollah drone strike on a military base near Binyamina in north-central Israel last night. Forty-one soldiers of the 58 soldiers wounded in a Hezbollah drone strike on an army training base last night remain hospitalized, with eight in serious or critical condition, medical officials said this morning. Goren takes us through what happened in the strike and why it was so deadly.

The Pentagon on Sunday confirmed that Washington will send an advanced air defense battery to Israel to protect the country in case of an Iranian reaction to an expected Israeli reprisal attack, along with American soldiers to operate it, as Tehran appeared to threaten the US troops to be stationed in the region. Goren takes us through the brief history of US deployment in Israel and what makes this American bear hug so unique.

The Tekuma Authority, tasked with rehabilitating the Gaza border communities overrun by Hamas terrorists a year ago, will spend NIS 6.4 billion ($1.7 billion) during 2024, equivalent to 90 percent of the budget approved by the government, according to its first six-month report, covering April to September. While the budget is large, Surkes explains that parts are already being held up.

Ahead of Rosh Hashana, a holiday associated with eating honey, Surkes visited Kibbutz Yad Mordechai, some 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) south of Ashkelon, where the majority of Israel's honey is produced. She reports back.

To end with, we hear about an 18-month pilot project to test the effectiveness and popularity of eco-toilets at the IDF’s Nitzanim training base in southern Israel.

For news updates, please check out The Times of Israel’s ongoing live blog.

Discussed articles include:

Four soldiers killed, seven seriously hurt in Hezbollah drone strike on military base

US confirms it’s sending missile defense battery, 100 troops to operate it, to Israel

Tekuma Administration reports spending NIS 6.4b on Gaza border reconstruction this year

Despite the war, no shortage of honey for Jewish New Year

Army cleans up its act with eco-toilets

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: IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi talks to soldiers at a Golani base in northern Israel after a deadly Hezbollah drone attack on October 14, 2024 (Israel Defense Forces)

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