Israel's internal security and counterintelligence agency
The government has announced a new plan diverting hundreds of millions of shekels from Arab community development to fund enforcement, expanding Shin Bet’s role in combating organized crime alongside police. Protests and legal objections arise from rights groups amid criticism of deepened inequality.
Eisenkot has surged in polls as his Yashar party leads Likud in some surveys for the October 27 election, with calls for stronger security and universal service forming the core of his platform. Netanyahu faces a shifting coalition dynamic as security concerns and politics collide.
Multiple fires have torn through the Havat Gilad settlement and nearby areas in the West Bank, destroying homes and forcing evacuations. Police say an initial probe points to a lit cigarette butt discarded from a vehicle as the likely cause, with arson not ruled out but not yet established. Dozens of structures have been damaged and residents face a humanitarian crisis as firefighting efforts continue.
Several sources report that more than 4,000 Israeli settlers have stormed the Al-Aqsa compound on Tisha B’Av, with far-right minister Itamar Ben-Gvir entering under heavy police protection. Palestinian officials say restrictions barred many worshippers; officials warn the move could threaten the status quo and spur regional tensions.
Netanyahu has met with Trump in Washington to review three approaches to Iran: a diplomatic deal, sustained economic pressure with a blockade, or a renewed military campaign. The discussions, conducted without public detail, aim to determine the path that best prevents a nuclear Iran while considering global energy impacts.
The CST reports 1,926 antisemitic hate incidents in January–June 2026 in the UK, up 21% from the previous year. Attacks include stabbings in Golders Green and arson at synagogues; government pledges £250m to bolster Jewish community security. The rise follows global trends and the start of the Israel–Iran conflict’s international spillover.
Independent Truth Commission hearings have begun to examine extrajudicial killings tied to Duterte’s drug crackdown. Families of victims testify as the panel seeks information, with rights groups citing tens of thousands killed and the government contrasting figures.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected the U.S.-backed 15-point Gaza roadmap and said Israeli troops will not withdraw until Hamas is "genuinely disarmed." Hamas has affirmed its commitment to the plan, Washington says discussions with Israel are continuing, and the Israeli military has largely paused targeted strikes while ceasefire and reconstruction arrangements remain stalled.
Israel has green‑lit a UAE-backed pilot project in eastern Rafah near the Yellow Line to establish temporary housing and repair civilian infrastructure, with Gaza still under Israeli security control. Palestinian observers warn the plan risks creating isolated enclaves and prolonging occupation while a limited international stabilization force is discussed.
Ceasefire negotiations in Gaza have stalled as Israeli air strikes resume, killing civilians and police officials. Mediators from the US, Egypt, and Qatar are pressing for a second phase of the ceasefire, including Hamas disarmament and Israeli withdrawal. Health authorities report multiple casualties from coastal Gaza strikes, underscoring fragile hopes for a durable halt to hostilities.
Residents in Masafer Yatta and West Bank villages have reported repeated settler attacks, property damage and soldiers escorting or standing by during incidents. Witnesses have described settlers grazing livestock in homes' gardens, arson, and assaults near mosques. Humanitarian groups have recorded high demolition and displacement rates since October 2023.
Netanyahu has referenced Britain as an “Islamic republic,” drawing criticism from UK officials and Muslim groups. The remarks, made on an Israeli podcast, echo longstanding tensions between Israel and the UK’s government and highlight concerns about anti-Muslim rhetoric in political discourse.
Israeli and French campaigns are leveraging summer travel and international outreach to mobilize voters, with overseas billboards and cruise-ship stops drawing attention. Analysts note heightened focus on election procedures, voter access, and integrity as key campaigns push to capture center-left and right-leaning blocks ahead of looming ballots.
AP and partners report a thriving illicit trade at Gaza's border, with cigarettes, dual-use goods, tech, and daily essentials flowing in despite restrictions. The trade is profiting both sides, fueling prices for residents while supporting militant and military actors. Authorities say flows have increased since a fragile ceasefire, though remain well below prewar levels.
Palestinian and Israeli sources report a sharp rise in West Bank violence. Dozens of settler attacks have targeted towns including Masafer Yatta, Jenin, Qusra and Hebron, with Palestinians injured, property damaged and several homes besieged. The violence coincides with increased Israeli military operations and ongoing clashes.
The Israel Defense Forces have downed a drone and struck Hezbollah infrastructure in southern Lebanon after a drone attack targeted troops in Nabatieh Ridge. The incidents prompt warnings near Arab Salim and Nabatieh as strikes continue and regional tensions rise amid ongoing ceasefire negotiations.
Israel has warned it will intensify strikes and treat kites, balloons and drones the same after several unarmed kites crossed into southern Israeli communities from Gaza. Hamas has denied responsibility; Gaza authorities have urged parents to stop children flying kites. The UN rights office has called threats of expulsions "outrageous."
The UK has announced it will help France set up assembly lines in Ukraine for long-range missiles, declassifying information on UK-made components to aid Kyiv. Leaders visiting Kyiv frame the step as a long-term boost to Ukraine’s weapons capacity, while Moscow warns of consequences for increased involvement in the war.
Prime minister has said Iran sought to murder one of his sons, as tensions escalate after US-Israel strikes on Iran. The claim comes amid discussions over security for political figures ahead of October elections, with mixed details about timing and targets.
The West Bank sees escalating settler violence with multiple incidents this week. Israeli forces have reinforced areas amid ongoing clashes, while Palestinian communities report property theft, displacement, and arrests. U.S. lawmakers have urged Netanyahu to curb violence and halt new settlements as international scrutiny grows.
US forces have carried out strikes on Iranian rocket launchers on Larak Island after they detected efforts to deploy rockets with naval mines into the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has launched missile and drone attacks at US bases in Jordan and the UAE in response. Both sides are signalling readiness to hit back again while diplomatic and economic pressure continues.
The Shin Bet has confirmed a significant threat to Yair Netanyahu and has extracted him and his security team from Florida, returning them to Israel. Netanyahu has claimed Iran targeted one of his sons, prompting international security actions and ongoing scrutiny of the case.
Starmer has announced he is stepping down as MP for Holborn and St Pancras after 11 years, triggering a by-election. He has cited a shift in focus to international affairs and other issues. The leadership transition follows Labour leadership changes and electoral pressure within the party.
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.
The World Food Programme has reduced aid in the West Bank from 400,000 to 200,000 and cut cash support to Gaza by 40%, warning that further cuts will be unavoidable without new funding. Other UN and aid groups report similar funding constraints as Western donors tighten budgets.
Prolonged detentions and indictments are drawing global scrutiny as Russia, Israel and Azerbaijan face court cases and political pressure over perceived rights abuses and censorship. The stories link a broader crackdown on dissent with heightened state security measures.
The US-backed Plan for Gaza’s post-war governance has progressed in principle, with a 6-month recovery program outlining 71 projects. But Israeli opposition and political dynamics ahead of October elections are delaying disarmament and broader reforms; smaller projects to repair critical infrastructure are moving forward.
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.
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.
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.
Gaza remains under heavy Israeli strikes with multiple fatalities reported across Khan Younis, Jabalia and Gaza City. Officials say the toll is rising amid ongoing ceasefire negotiations and aid delivery concerns.
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.
More than 100 Israeli settlers have attacked the West Bank village of Jalud while Israeli forces were attempting to escort a displaced Palestinian family back to their home. Settlers set fire to houses and vehicles, injured three security officers and blocked the family's return; police have detained a small number of suspects and court rulings had ordered the family's return.
The Guardian-produced NAZA has sparked a fierce backlash in Israel after its Venice premiere and North American rollout. The film features 24 anonymous Israeli soldiers and intelligence officers describing AI-assisted targeting and civilian casualties in Gaza. Israel denies the allegations and promises to defend its soldiers, while the filmmakers face calls to revoke their citizenship.
Arab warnings from Egypt and the UAE are now corroborated by multiple outlets, including The Atlantic and The Wall Street Journal. The reports describe Israeli leaders receiving cautions about Gaza's volatility in the weeks before the October 7, 2023 assault, with Egypt’s Abbas Kamel and UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed reportedly warning of imminent danger.
A series of Israeli strikes in Gaza City have killed senior Hamas commanders, including Izz al-Din al-Beik, who headed the Northern Gaza Brigade, and other operatives accused of rebuilding Hamas’s military capabilities. The Israeli military says the targets aimed to remove immediate threats and disrupt militant networks, while Palestinian sources report civilian casualties as the ceasefire remains disputed.
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.
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-born Salah Sarsour remains in the United States as a Chicago judge has ruled he is deportable on foreign policy grounds, while rejecting the claim that he lied on his green card application. Attorneys say appeals are likely; Sarsour warns deportation would end his life in the West Bank, and his case has drawn support from his mosque and rights groups.
The Flydubai FZ1073 flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv has diverted to Tabuk after a midair altercation in the cockpit. UAE authorities are coordinating with Saudi and Emirati agencies to determine motives, possible terrorism links, and any prior planning. The captain, Smit Machchhar, is recovering, and investigations are under way across multiple jurisdictions.
Officials say a FlyDubai co-pilot identified as Omani attempted to crash an Israel-bound flight using an emergency axe, injuring the captain. Passengers and crew subdued the attacker; the plane landed safely in Saudi Arabia. UAE leads the probe, with Israel and Oman under scrutiny for cockpit-crew vetting and passenger-list procedures.
Israel’s repatriation effort to bring Israelis home from Dubai continues, but landing permissions have been revoked, forcing cancellations of Arkia, El Al and Israir flights. Israeli authorities and airlines report refunds and discounts for stranded passengers as aviation ties with the UAE and broader Middle East remain unsettled amid the flydubai incident investigation.
The UAE-led inquiry has identified Hamam al-Hammami, an Omani national, as the co-pilot involved in the September 30 incident on Flight FZ1073. Passengers and crew overpowered him after he attacked Captain Smit Machchhar with a cockpit ax. Investigators are examining motive, vetting procedures, and possible links as countries coordinate on security responses.
The Israeli Defense Forces say 170 Gazans killed during the war who were reported as journalists were actually operatives for Hamas, Islamic Jihad and other groups. They say 118 served in Hamas’ military wing, 49 in Islamic Jihad, with 17 involved in the October 7 attacks. The Times of Israel and other outlets publish the list and note ongoing investigations and previous reporting questioning the “journalist” label.
An Israeli mathematics lecturer at Bar-Ilan University has been indicted for preparing to carry out mass terrorist attacks against Palestinian communities in Israel, East Jerusalem and the West Bank. The plan envisaged 72 attackers in 12 cells, with potential support from inside the Israeli military, and aimed to drive Palestinians to flee to neighboring states.
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.
A former Israeli military secretary has accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of altering official transcripts from Oct. 7, 2023. He says Egypt’s intelligence presence and repeated warnings suggest a broader failure preceding the Hamas attack, while Netanyahu’s office denies the allegations.