Israeli far-right politician and Minister of National Security since 2022
Palestinian communities face encroachment as Israeli settlers, backed by a hard‑line government, move to seize springs and designate heritage sites. Water diversions near Fasayil contribute to a new “Herod’s Pool,” while funding for archaeology signals a broader push to consolidate control over land and memory in the West Bank.
A US-backed Board of Peace has presented a six-month, $2.45bn, 66-project plan to begin Gaza's reconstruction, but implementation has not started. The plan depends on Hamas disarming, Israeli cooperation and major donor funding that remains unpaid. Israeli forces continue to control much of the Strip and aid and movement restrictions are persisting.
The Israel Defense Forces have adopted a policy of zero containment and zero tolerance toward launches of kites and balloons from Gaza toward the Negev, with officials stating that any balloon or kite will be treated as a drone, with or without explosives. The move follows clashes linked to the 2023 Hamas attacks and raises the stakes in the broader Gaza conflict.
Australia has pressed Israel for justice for Zomi Frankcom and six World Central Kitchen colleagues killed in Gaza in April 2024. Israel has decided not to prosecute those involved, citing serious failures but no criminal misconduct. Australia warns this falls far short of accountability and says it will pursue all avenues, including legal options, while consulting the Frankcom family.
The Times of Israel, BBC Business, France 24 and Bloomberg report that Israel has opened tenders for about 1,200 settlement homes in the E1 corridor, east of Jerusalem. The move draws international condemnation and raises concerns about a two-state solution. France, Germany, Italy and the UK join in urging reconsideration, while the EU and UN caution on the broader implications for regional stability.
Settlers have returned to Kadim, north of Jenin, with around 30 pioneer families arriving under military escort. The reopening follows the 2005 disengagement and signals a broader push to revive four northern West Bank settlements, amid a wider surge in settlement activity under Prime Minister Netanyahu’s government. Palestinian residents fear displacement as tensions rise alongside new outposts and tenders in nearby areas.
Turkey has issued arrest warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu and Afek Moskovitch, accusing them of genocide and crimes against humanity over the May interception of a flotilla heading to Gaza. The justice ministry has requested Interpol red notices as part of a case against 35 people. Israel denies the allegations and vows to continue actions against Ankara.
Rival Fatah factions and allied Palestinian groups are engaging in talks ahead of November legislative elections. Meetings in Egypt and in the Alamein region aim to bridge rifts within Fatah and coordinate broader opposition to the PA leadership, including potential cooperation with Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and Dahlan’s Reform Current. The developments come as Abbas’s circle seeks to present a united front while preparing for a contested election landscape.
The Altalena, the Irgun’s wartime cargo ship sunk in 1948 after a clash with Ben-Gurion’s government, has been located off Tel Aviv. Netanyahu and Ben-Gvir are using the find to sharpen right‑wing messages ahead of the October 27 vote, while historians caution the episode remains a symbol of internal nationalist tension.
UNRWA’s Qalandiya Training Centre, which trains about 340 Palestinian refugees each year, has been raided and closed by Israeli forces. Staff have been expelled, and materials are being removed as the site is eyed for a new educational complex by Jerusalem authorities. UNRWA says the move deprives students of vital vocational training and worsens a broader funding and legal fight surrounding the agency.
Trump signs an executive order to rename Lake Ontario as Lake America in the US; critics say the move echoes past rebrand efforts and ignores bilateral tensions with Canada amid tariffs and a stalled Iran conflict. The change applies to US government materials, with unclear uptake by businesses and states.
Police have arrested 27 people across several days in connection with the A66 crash in Cleveland, which killed two officers and five youths. Investigations target suspected organised crime links, firearms, drugs, and dangerous driving, with officers from outside the force helping to tackle the fallout.
Arab party Raam will run on an anti-crime platform with Yoav Segalovitz, a Jewish former police official, joining the list. Abbas says cooperation is possible; poll projections place Raam at five or six seats in the Knesset. The move signals a shift toward coalition politics but is met with criticism from Likud.
A gunman has opened fire outside the Sons of Jacob synagogue in Belleville, Ontario, wounding a police officer; the suspect has died after hospitalisation. Ontarios SIU and Belleville police have opened investigations and police have increased patrols near places of worship. Separately, Reform synagogues in Jerusalem and other countries have reported repeated vandalism and harassment targeting LGBTQ-friendly and non-Orthodox communities.
The Times of Israel reports that Ben Gvir has announced a freeze on senior police appointments except for urgent cases, citing election timing. The move follows disputes over the rank and personnel aligned with the Attorney General, with Haaretz and Channel 12 mentioning ongoing talks and potential reappointments. Other All Africa items detail corruption probes and arrests within national authorities in Malawi and Mozambique.
The UK has announced a broader policy review on its stance toward Israeli settlements, with ministers signaling potential bans on settlement goods and related services to push for a two-state solution. The stance follows recent calls for a comprehensive reset of UK-Israel relations and ongoing debates over international law.
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 Israeli ministers have floated plans to remove Palestinians from Gaza, while seeking U.S. approval on departures. Saudi, Egyptian, Jordanian and other foreign ministers condemn the move as a risk to peace. The proposals follow earlier statements by Israeli officials and come amid a wider war in Gaza.
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.
Haaretz has published book excerpts saying UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed warned Benjamin Netanyahu in late September 2023 that Hamas was planning a major operation. Haaretz says Netanyahu reacted calmly and did not inform Israel's security chiefs; Netanyahu has denied the call, instructed lawyers to sue Haaretz, and rivals have seized the story ahead of the Oct. 27 election.
Two Palestinian teenagers have been shot dead during a settler operation near Ramallah and a 33-year-old Palestinian has been killed by Israeli police in Jerusalem. Israeli authorities say forces fired at "instigators" and a border guard "neutralised" a suspected attacker; Palestinian witnesses and local agencies report settlers and soldiers attacked villages and blocked supplies.
Overasselt gunfight shocks a Dutch town as police crack down on international crime networks. Dozens are detained, a 51-year-old security guard is killed, two officers are wounded, and authorities warn the operation may be connected to a broader underworld battle surrounding cocaine trafficking.
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.
The UK has announced a ban on imports and services linked to Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank and has coordinated measures with several allies. Israel has closed the British consulate in East Jerusalem and imposed retaliatory diplomatic steps. British Jewish leaders are split and ministers are defending the move as necessary to protect the two‑state prospect.
Britain has announced a comprehensive sanctions regime targeting Israeli settlements in the West Bank. Senior Masorti and Liberal Jewish leaders have voiced support, while Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis has condemned the move. The policy aims to push for a two-state solution amid rising tensions over settlement expansion and violence.
NAZA, an 80‑minute documentary by Israeli filmmakers Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, has premiered at the Venice Film Festival, won a special jury prize and prompted sustained criticism from Israeli officials. The film presents anonymous testimony from 24 Israeli military and intelligence personnel alleging AI‑assisted targeting and frequent civilian deaths in Gaza; Israel’s defence establishment has rejected the claims and ordered inquiries.
Israel has demolished a vast Hezbollah tunnel complex beneath the Ali al‑Taher ridge in southern Lebanon, using more than 1,000 tonnes of explosives to collapse tunnels that extended over 2km. The blast has registered as a 4.1‑magnitude tremor, Israeli forces say they have established operational control and will hold a security zone while continuing strikes when needed.
Palestinian worshippers face access restrictions as Israeli security forces tighten control around Al-Aqsa during Sukkot and Yom Kippur, with settlers and high-level Israeli officials conducting rites at the site. Across East Jerusalem and the West Bank, clashes, closures, and arrests continue as international actors call for restraint.
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.
The Venice Special Jury Prize for NAZA has triggered a political firestorm in Israel. Culture Minister Miki Zohar calls to strip the filmmakers’ citizenship, while Prime Minister Netanyahu and other officials condemn the film as treasonous. The documentary cites 24 anonymous Israeli insiders and alleges AI-assisted targeting and anticipated civilian casualties in Gaza; the filmmakers say the film seeks accountability.
Netanyahu has faced sustained political pressure as he heads into a parliamentary election. Critics say he relies on victimhood rhetoric and populist tactics to deflect scrutiny, amid new reporting and shifts in opposition dynamics that could reshape Israel’s political landscape.
Ed Sheeran has publicly condemned the Gaza crisis as catastrophic and unjustifiable while maintaining a stance that his shows are not political. The controversy surrounding Macklemore’s removal from the Loop Tour is shaping discussions about freedom of speech, venue decisions, and the balance between art and politics.
Britain has warned it could expel up to about 27 Israeli diplomats if Israel closes the UK consulate in East Jerusalem on Thursday. Israel has ordered the consulate to shut within 30 days after Britain announced sanctions on goods and services linked to West Bank settlements. British officials have tried last-minute talks to avert the closure but have not reached a deal.
Saudi authorities have said they have intercepted a Houthi-launched drone south of Mecca and have called the attempt a "red line" because it targeted Islam's holiest sites. Regional capitals and Muslim organisations have condemned the strikes on Saudi cities and infrastructure, and analysts warn the attacks will raise pressure on shipping routes and global energy supplies.
Netanyahu has a brief US visit to address the UN General Assembly. He is not spending the night in the US, cancelling a Texas stop, and flights are being redirected amid security concerns and protests. The ICC warrants and political tensions frame the trip, with protests anticipated in New York.
Argentina has escalated its sovereignty push around the Sea Lion oil field near the Falkland Islands. Milei’s govt has filed sanctions and legal actions against firms involved, threatens the UN-backed tribunal, and vows to defend sovereignty. The UK asserts islanders’ self-determination and resources rights.
Irish public opinion has grown increasingly opposed to Ireland’s Nations League games against Israel amid ongoing protests and political pressure. The government and football authorities have faced calls to boycott, with players weighing a collective stance as matches move to neutral venues.
Israel has shortened the time before Elor Azaria’s criminal record is automatically cleared, allowing him to begin a new chapter in life; the move follows the controversy over his 2017 manslaughter conviction for killing Abdel Fattah al-Sharif in Hebron.
Over the past days, Israeli forces have intensified operations following a spate of attacks near West Bank settlements. An Israeli soldier has been critically wounded, and attackers have been killed in multiple incidents. Ambassadors and family members are expressing concern as the conflict escalates amid a festive period.
Israeli forces have intensified raids in Biddu and surrounding towns after a shooting near Neveh Tzuf. Officials say dozens have been detained, homes searched, and access blocked as military operations continue ahead of upcoming elections.
Israeli voters confront a tightly balanced race three years after the Hamas attack. Polls show blocs short of a majority, with Arab parties potentially pivotal. Opposition leaders are coordinating but face internal tensions about coalition partners and prime ministerial leadership as the October 27 vote nears.
Israel’s prime minister has warned of potential attacks ahead of the elections, while opposition leaders say the warnings are political. Netanyahu’s office says a security briefing has been provided to opposition leader Lapid as polls show a tight race.
A Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv has diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, after an altercation on the flight deck. The airline has said all passengers are safe and accounted for. Israeli officials have said a pilot stabbed the co-pilot and tried to sabotage the aircraft; Israeli warplanes monitored the diversion and passengers restrained the assailant.
A Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv has made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, after a co‑pilot allegedly stabbed the captain and tried to crash the plane. The injured captain, identified as Indian national Smit Machchhar, has been taken to hospital in Tabuk. Passengers and on‑duty crew have overpowered and restrained the attacker; all passengers have returned to Tel Aviv.
Arab parties face disqualification challenges as Israel's election rules are tested. The Supreme Court and Central Elections Committee are at the center of rulings that could shape representation for Palestinian citizens ahead of the October 27 vote.
Three years after Hamas’s Oct. 7 attack, Israel faces a pivotal election that could determine the future of Benjamin Netanyahu’s premiership. Voters weigh accountability for security failures against a demand for stability as regional dynamics remain volatile and Gaza’s humanitarian toll persists.
Three years after the Hamas-led invasion of Israel, New York communities hold ceremonies and install art to honor victims and hostages; vigils, official memorials and street demonstrations reflect ongoing trauma and resilience.
Palestinian prisoner rights groups say abuses inside Israeli facilities have intensified over three years of war, with hundreds of prisoners dead and thousands more detained under harsh conditions. Families face limited information and increasing use of video hearings, while activists urge international accountability.