Israeli prime minister, longest-serving in office
The Alternative for Germany (AfD) has won about 44% of the vote in Saxony‑Anhalt, taking 39 of 83 seats and falling three short of an outright majority. Chancellor Friedrich Merz has condemned the AfD's "remigration" plans as ethnic cleansing and warned their deportation agenda will force labour shortages. International figures, including Donald Trump and Elon Musk, have praised the AfD's result.
Serbia has held a large funeral for Ratko Mladić, the convicted Bosnian war criminal, with soldiers, several government ministers and church leaders taking part. The event has prompted condemnations from the EU, led to Bosnia downgrading diplomatic ties, and caused EU officials to pause visits and reassess Serbia’s accession prospects.
B’Tselem’s report portrays an accelerated, integrated set of Israeli policies in the West Bank, including violence, movement restrictions, economic strangulation, social-political destruction, and ethnic cleansing. The document argues these measures are dismantling Palestinian life and suffocating daily existence, with checkpoints, land seizures, and rising unemployment central to the framework.
The documentary NAZA has premiered at the Venice Film Festival and has won a special jury prize after a 25‑minute standing ovation. The film, produced with the Guardian, presents anonymous testimony from 24 Israeli military and intelligence personnel alleging AI‑assisted targeting and mass killing of Palestinian civilians in Gaza. Israeli ministers have condemned the film and threatened legal action; the IDF has rejected its claims.
The UK has announced sanctions on illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank, describing the occupation as unlawful and arguing the move supports a two-state solution. Israel has closed the British consulate in East Jerusalem and barred several British figures from entering the country. Reactions among UK Jewish groups are mixed as international pressure grows.
The Iran‑aligned Houthis have seized Yemen’s Red Sea coast and key islands in the Bab al‑Mandeb strait this week, including Mocha, Mayyun (Perim) and the Hanish islands, after government forces withdrew. Saudi and Yemeni government forces have launched air strikes in response. The offensive has killed hundreds, displaced tens of thousands and pushed oil prices above $100 a barrel.
Defence Minister Katz has stated that there is no real solution for Gaza without migration, saying Israel is prepared to relocate Gazans by sea, air, and other means. The idea is being discussed as part of a broader debate over displacement, with international concern growing over humanitarian conditions in Gaza and the West Bank.
The West Bank is facing a surge in settler violence as international attention mounts. US Ambassador Huckabee has met Palestinian Americans in Turmus Ayya, calling for accountability and stating there is no plan to displace Palestinians from Gaza. Britain, France and Canada announce sanctions on settlement-linked activity, signaling growing international pressure on Israel. The political landscape in Israel remains unsettled as elections approach.
Trump has said reunification of the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland would be a “fantastic thing,” adding it may happen soon. He met Ireland’s prime minister in Dublin and indicated the UK will have a say. The comments echo ongoing discussions about the Good Friday Agreement and consents around a possible referendum.
Israeli airstrikes have killed two Palestinians in Gaza’s Tal al-Hawa district and wounded 13 others, according to local medics and witnesses. The attack follows ongoing violence and a fragile ceasefire that has not halted all strikes. Palestinian health authorities report rising casualties since the start of the war in Gaza.
Oman has postponed a planned regional meeting on the Strait of Hormuz, with Iran and Gulf states expected to discuss future management of the strait. Tehran and Muscat have been pursuing a regional framework, amid sanctions, blockades, and rising oil prices. Bahrain says it will not attend until diplomatic ties with Iran resume. The pause preserves room for dialogue while signaling regional actors seek stability.
Palestinian and Israeli sources report that visitors—including some who performed rituals—have entered the Al-Aqsa/Haram al-Sharif compound with police protection, amid calls by Israeli groups to tour the site during the Jewish holiday season. Authorities have previously restricted Palestinian access during holidays as settlers mark the New Year.
Lebanese President has announced there are no new talks with Israel at the present time. The next round of US-mediated talks is now scheduled for October in Rome, with ambassadors from both countries set to meet in Washington to discuss the framework to disarm Hezbollah and gradually withdraw the IDF from southern Lebanon. In the meantime, clashes persist in southern Lebanon as Israeli forces target Hezbollah infrastructure.
Israeli special forces have conducted a raid in western Gaza City that has resulted in the capture of a senior Hamas security official and multiple strikes across the area. Palestinian authorities and hospitals have reported deaths and injuries, including children, while Israeli officials say the operation targeted a senior internal-security figure tied to past attacks.
Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon have killed civilians and damaged infrastructure amid ongoing clashes with Hezbollah. The target areas include Kfar Rumman, Nabatieh, and surrounding towns as diplomatic efforts to disarm Hezbollah and withdraw Israeli forces continue under a US-brokered framework. The toll includes women, children, and rescuers, with casualties and displacement prompting international concern.
Israel’s parties have submitted candidate lists ahead of the 2026 elections. Likud and Religious Zionist Party are among the last to file, while the Joint List also appears on the slate. Polls suggest no single party will secure a majority, and democracy concerns are rising among Israelis amid a shifting political landscape.
The Iran war has entered its seventh month. White House aides warn Tehran can resist pressure and sustain the conflict beyond January 2029, while President Trump argues the war could end immediately after the November midterms. Public remarks differ from private assessments, signaling a possible continuation of hostilities through the president’s term.
Israel maintains a presence in southern Lebanon and says it has cleared tunnels beneath the Ali al-Taher ridge. Hezbollah has not commented on the claim. The ridge overlooks a wide area and sits near Nabatieh; clashes persist despite a US-brokered ceasefire framework.
The Times of Israel reports meetings between Trump, JD Vance, and Hasidic grand rabbis, including Satmar leaders, addressing Israel’s conscription in Israel, federal prisoner kosher policies and funding for yeshivas. The gathering marks the first of its kind since 1979, underscoring the US Jewish community’s political entanglements ahead of elections.
Ed Sheeran has confirmed promoter Messina Touring Group removed Macklemore from eight remaining US stadium dates after the rapper shouted "Free Palestine" and performed the protest song "Hind's Hall" at MetLife Stadium. Venues including Gillette Stadium told promoters they would not host shows with Macklemore on the bill; Sheeran has said the decision was made by venues and the promoter, not him.
Greece and Israel have strengthened defense, security and energy cooperation over the past decade. A 3 billion euro deal to build an air defence shield in Greece has been signed, with Greece spending at least 3.5% of GDP on core defence. Greece plans further engagements, including a visit to Cairo, as tensions with Turkey persist.
The International Court of Justice is hearing Germany’s objections to Nicaragua’s genocide case, arguing the court lacks jurisdiction and that key claims are inadmissible. The hearings come amid ongoing Gaza violence and a wider legal battle over Israel’s actions in the territory. Germany is defending its arms exports while Nicaragua accuses Berlin of facilitating genocide through support for Israel.
Palestinian rights groups report increased casualties and displacement as Israeli ministers push for hardline measures; Western states expand arms exports while debates over sanctions deepen. The pieces highlight the diverging international responses to the Gaza crisis.
Nicaragua has urged the International Court of Justice to allow its case against Germany to continue, arguing that arm exports to Israel violate the Genocide Convention and humanitarian law as hearings on Germany’s preliminary objections proceed in The Hague.
The opposition's candidate lists have been filed as four main parties retain separate slates, with polls showing Eisenkot's Yashar leading or near the top. Mergers stall, while Ra’am and Joint List potential alignments remain uncertain amid ongoing coalition calculations.
Iran has announced a new, inland sanctions zone around the Strait of Hormuz, starting from the US naval blockade line and extending into Gulf waters. Tehran says ships entering the zone will be placed on sanctions lists, with potential insurance and transit consequences. The move follows recent clashes and US strikes on Iranian tankers, as Iran seeks to pressure Washington.
The Board of Peace’s disarmament plan for Hamas has stalled due to Israeli opposition as the October elections approach. US mediation efforts intensify but faces political headwinds at home and in Jerusalem. A new Palestinian police program awaits Israeli approval while negotiations hinge on decommissioning and security arrangements.
Britain has announced a sanctions regime targeting illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank and related services, in a move that signals a shift in the UK’s approach to Israel and the Palestinian territories. The policy is presented as part of broader international pressure amid tensions over Gaza and the West Bank.
Haaretz has published book extracts saying UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed has warned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in late September 2023 that Hamas planned a major operation; Haaretz says Netanyahu reacted calmly and did not share the warning with security chiefs. Netanyahu has denied the call and has ordered a libel suit; Haaretz has stood by its reporting. Today is Thu, 10 Sep 2026 20:04:38 +0100.
Nicaragua argues that Germany’s arms exports to Israel facilitate genocide in Gaza, a claim tied to Genocide Convention obligations. Germany contests jurisdiction as the ICJ hears preliminary objections; the case follows South Africa’s genocide case against Israel and raises questions about interstate accountability.
Israeli troops and settlers have clashed with Palestinians across the occupied West Bank this week, leaving at least one Palestinian wounded by gunfire near Faqqua, dozens of homes and livelihood structures demolished in Jerusalem and Masafer Yatta, and multiple arrests reported in Jenin and Nablus. Communities are facing demolitions, sieges and restricted access to ambulances and water.
Israel has closed the British consulate in East Jerusalem as part of retaliatory moves after the UK announced a trade ban with settlements in the West Bank. The dispute also involves discussions over a Gaza ceasefire and British officials barred from entering Israel. Several former diplomats warn the move risks harming Palestinians and destabilising regional relations.
Israeli hard-liner Itamar Ben-Gvir has urged publicly recognizing Argentina’s sovereignty over the Falkland Islands, triggering UK pushback and a flurry of diplomatic reactions. Britain rebuffs the claim and reaffirms Falkland islanders’ self-determination, while lawmakers scrutinize sanctions and trade implications tied to the dispute.
New York City is preparing for the UN General Assembly week as Prime Minister Netanyahu returns to address the body. Officials say protests are anticipated amid calls by New York’s mayor to arrest Netanyahu under an ICC warrant, though the city lacks authority to do so. Israel defends the visit, while observers warn of heightened security and urban disruption.
The Nagoya-Aichi Games are underway with 17,000+ athletes and officials staying in a mix of cruise-ship cabins, wooden containers, and hotels. Reports of leaking huts and evacuation due to heavy rain persist as organizers push ahead toward opening ceremonies on Sept. 19.
The 72-year-old actor has canceled a Tel Aviv date for The Music Critic after a local PR quote attributed to him was found to be fabricated, with publishers correcting the record. Malkovich asserts the quote does not reflect his views or endorsement of any political stance.
Britain has imposed its broadest measures yet against Israel’s settlements in the occupied West Bank, banning imports from settlements, expanding sanctions on financing and construction, and tightening arms controls. Israel has responded by closing the British consulate in East Jerusalem and banning UK officials from entering the country. The moves mark a significant shift in European stance, though London maintains ties with Israel within the Green Line.
Several Western governments have moved to restrict trade with Israeli settlements in the West Bank, while Palestinians question enforcement and impact on everyday life. The move follows rising settlement activity and calls for broader measures against settlement support.
Somaliland’s president says the breakaway region is ready to contribute up to 2,000 troops to a US-led International Stabilization Force in Gaza if formally asked, while other nations weigh participation and Israel’s recognition boosts Somaliland’s international profile.
British sanctions on Israeli settlements have drawn support from some senior rabbis who view them as advancing a two-state solution, while chief figures condemn the move as a dangerous political signal. The policy targets settlements and may affect trade and foreign relations, with a mixed response from UK Jewish groups.
Israeli strikes have continued in Gaza, targeting Hamas infrastructure and operatives while warning civilians to evacuate. Reports indicate casualties including civilians and Hamas fighters, with the Gaza war entering a new phase since the 2025 ceasefire. International efforts to broker a lasting peace remain stalled.
Sweden has held a tight general election that has halted the Sweden Democrats’ advance: exit polls and projections show the centre-left bloc led by Magdalena Andersson ahead of the incumbent centre-right coalition, and the Sweden Democrats have fallen from second to third place, reducing their immediate path into government.
Israel has destroyed an extensive tunnel network under the Ali al-Taher ridge and declared operational control of the heights, saying the complex contained command centres, rockets, missiles and drones. The blast registered as a 4.1-magnitude tremor, Israeli leaders have said forces will remain to prevent Hezbollah’s return, and Lebanese towns reported shock and damage on the night of the explosions.
A new wave of polls shows no bloc winning a clear 61-seat majority in the 120-seat Knesset. Surveys indicate tightening odds for coalitions and room for potential cross-bloc deals, depending on small party performances ahead of the October vote.
The ICC’s interim chief prosecutor has told AFP that U.S. attacks on the ICC stem from a misunderstanding of the court’s work, as Washington imposes sanctions over arrest warrants for Netanyahu and others. Niang says the court will pursue its mandate while seeking technical alternatives to protect independence.
During a weekend visit to Dublin, the US president has said he would "love to see" a united Ireland, calling reunification "a fantastic thing" and saying "it's going to happen eventually." His comments have prompted rebuttals from UK unionists, Reform UK and ministers who have reaffirmed support for the Good Friday Agreement.
Tensions flare in the Jenin-area villages as Israeli settlers clash with Palestinian residents; troops have dispersed confrontations and investigated shootings, including a Palestinian man shot in the leg during stone-throwing incidents. Investigations are underway into the conduct of the soldiers involved.
The Guardian and The Times of Israel report on the Venice-winning NAZA documentary by Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor. Israeli ministers have condemned the film, with the culture minister threatening citizenship revocation for the directors. The IDF denies allegations of planned or approved strikes in Gaza and challenges the film’s anonymous whistleblower approach. The Gaza death toll exceeds 73,000.
Israeli politicians are accusing the Venice-winning NAZA documentary of incitement and treason, threatening citizenship revocation for its directors, while the film faces international scrutiny over its portrayal of AI-enabled targeting in Gaza. The debate follows the film’s Venice prize and mounting domestic backlash.