National Liberal Movement and governing party of Israel
Arab-led lists are projected to win a record number of seats in Israel’s Knesset, potentially making them kingmakers in a hung parliament. Netanyahu faces a coalition dilemma as exit polls show no clear majority, and opposition blocs weigh cooperation with Arab parties to form a government.
Airservices Australia reports ongoing delays at major airports amid a shortage of air-traffic controllers. Officials say delays have reduced slightly year-on-year, but disruption remains a risk as the workforce faces high demand and rostering challenges.
The Guardian reports that Gadi Eisenkot, Israel’s former military chief and leader of the Yashar party, is gaining ground in the polls ahead of October elections. Western media have spotlighted his profile against Netanyahu, while critics note his record during the Gaza war and his past role in the war cabinet.
The Democratic Front for Peace and Equality (Hadash), Balad and Ta'al announce a three-party Joint List to confront Israeli political challenges. They say unity is essential to defend Palestinian rights, rebuild trust, and push for ten seats in the Knesset, aimed at countering a fascist right-wing government.
The Altalena, a wartime Irgun cargo ship sunk in June 1948, has been located off Tel Aviv. Israel has been salvaging the wreckage for years. Heritage Minister Amihai Eliyahu calls the find a deep national wound and notes it underscores Menachem Begin’s order to prevent civil war. Netanyahu’s government now leans on the episode to frame right-wing strength.
The controversy surrounding Hasan Piker’s remarks has prompted strong responses from Democratic leaders and candidates, underscoring the challenge of unifying diverse voter blocs ahead of midterm-style contests. Piker has faced mounting scrutiny over antisemitism accusations, while candidates emphasize policy concerns like gas, groceries, and healthcare.
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.
US Ambassador Mike Huckabee has met Palestinian Americans in Turmus Ayya amid rising settler violence in the occupied West Bank. He has described the violence as criminal and says the U.S. will press for action, while stressing there is no plan to displace Palestinians from Gaza. The visit follows a spate of attacks by Israeli settlers and comes as Washington and its allies scrutinise Israeli settlement activity and the broader conflict.
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.
Israel has demolished more than 2km of Hezbollah tunnel infrastructure beneath the Ali al‑Taher ridge in southern Lebanon, using over 1,000 tonnes of explosives and creating a blast that registered as a 4.1‑magnitude tremor. The Israeli military says it has established operational control above and below ground and will hold a security zone while continuing strikes when necessary.
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.
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.
Documentary NAZA relies on anonymous Israeli military testimonials alleging AI-enabled targeting in Gaza. While the film has won Venice’s Special Jury Prize and will stream via The Guardian, Israeli officials deny the allegations and threaten legal steps against the filmmakers. The Guardian cooperates on distribution; filmmakers argue for public access amid ongoing debate.
Israel’s prime minister faces defamation lawsuits as Haaretz and other outlets are accused of publishing false reports about warnings to Netanyahu before the October 7, 2023 attacks. The stories persist as other outlets report related warnings from Egypt and the UAE, while Netanyahu denies having been warned.
Palestinian olive harvests in the West Bank have been marred by escalating settler violence. Across multiple villages, harvesters are attacked, olives and property are damaged, and journalists and diplomats have been assaulted. Israeli authorities have faced calls for accountability as clashes intensify ahead of local elections.
Nachala’s outpost near the Gaza border has drawn international attention, with activists claiming to relocate settlements into Gaza and police enforcing a closed zone. Leaders from the far right advocate a permanent return to Gaza, while authorities guard the border amid tension.
President Donald Trump has publicly endorsed Benjamin Netanyahu ahead of Israel’s Oct. 27 election, offering a “complete and total endorsement” and calling him a “Great Warrior Prime Minister.” Multiple outlets report Israeli officials asked Trump for added statements and media outreach; Likud has denied those reports. Partial returns have left Netanyahu’s bloc short of a Knesset majority.
Israel has held a tightly contested election on Oct. 27, 2026, with polling places showing strong turnout across settler towns, Arab communities and mixed cities. The Netanyahu-led right and a Zionist opposition bloc led by former chief Gadi Eisenkot have run neck-and-neck in polls; Arab-led lists are projected to increase seats and could hold the balance of power.
Vice President J.D. Vance has declined to endorse Benjamin Netanyahu after President Donald Trump publicly backed the Israeli prime minister ahead of Israels 27 October election. Vance has said he will focus on endorsing American candidates in the U.S. midterms and will not get involved in Israeli elections, while previously backing foreign leaders such as Hungarys Viktor Orbn.
Exit polls released after Tuesday’s vote have shown Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s bloc and the opposition led by former army chief Gadi Eisenkot each with roughly 50–52 Knesset seats, short of the 61 needed to govern. Arab-led parties have surged to about 17–18 seats and could hold the balance of power as final counts continue.
Israeli forces have mounted sweeping operations across the West Bank after gunmen opened fire near Hebron, killing two attackers and wounding several. Troops have sealed Hebron, closed gates and restricted Palestinian movement, displacing hundreds of families and preventing most permit-holding workers from entering Israeli communities until after Israel’s Oct. 27 election.
Israel has launched a large-scale operation in Hebron after a deadly attack at a military checkpoint, with security forces vowing to displace residents and search for militants. The development follows an escalation ahead of national elections, as authorities report multiple casualties among soldiers and militants and warn of further measures.
Israel faces a pivotal election since Hamas’s 2023 attacks, with Netanyahu’s Likud bloc opposed by Eisenkot’s Yashar-led alliance. Polls show a tight race, a fractured Knesset, and debates over security, settlements, and Arab-party leverage. Voters weigh wartime leadership, economic stability, and the path to a possible coalition.
Israel has expanded a security operation in Hebron and across the West Bank following Friday’s deadly attack, displacing thousands, sealing districts, and banning Palestinian workers from most areas on election day. The move follows international concerns about collective punishment and displacement.
Israelis have voted in a pivotal general election. Exit polls show Netanyahu’s bloc and Eisenkot’s opposition are close, with neither securing a clear majority. Turnout is high as the country confronts its future security and political direction.
Israelis cast ballots in a pivotal Knesset election as exit polls point to a tight race between Netanyahu’s Likud-led bloc and Eisenkot’s Yashar coalition, with Arab parties potentially kingmakers. Results suggest no clear majority, setting the stage for weeks of coalition talks and possible caretaker governance.
Palestinian citizens in Israel face potential intimidation as Likud and Religious Zionist activists plan to deploy about 2,000 observers to polling stations. Rights groups have filed petitions to ban armed polling officials, citing risk of violence and voter suppression ahead of Election Day.
Hezbollah has rebuilt its command-and-control capabilities with new funding from Iran and is rearming while Israel maintains a security zone in southern Lebanon. The group’s drones and explosives programs are a focal point as tensions persist despite a ceasefire surge.
Israelis vote in the first election since Hamas’s assault and Gaza war, with polls showing Netanyahu’s coalition facing a potential loss of majority. The campaign is dominated by security, governance, and the future of Palestinian policy as regional tensions escalate.
The 2026 elections are underway with high turnout across the country. Netanyahu and rival parties warn of irregularities, while Arab voters show strong engagement. Arabic-language ballot access and reports of arrests and suspected interference shape the day’s events.
With 85% counted, Likud leads with 53 seats; Eisenkot’s Change Bloc holds 48. Arab-led parties are rising to a record 19 seats. Final results could take days as absentee ballots are tallied and a governing coalition forms, or a new election is called.