Election Day in Israel has drawn unprecedented turnout despite torrential rain and flash flooding across the south, forcing road closures and last-minute voting arrangements. Meanwhile, security forces thwarted a border infiltration near Nitzana, and intelligence reports point to Russian satellite support enabling Iranian-backed strikes on Saudi Arabia. Internationally, Brazil's Bolsonaro family saga continues, and British officials weighed in on Israeli politics ahead of the vote.

Politics

Israel's Central Elections Committee (CEC) rejected requests from Likud, Shas, Otzma Yehudit and other parties to extend voting hours beyond 10pm, citing exceptionally high turnout across all sectors. An exception was made for Hebron, where voting was extended to allow for a power outage. Likud officials have voiced concern over both voter apathy among some right-wing supporters and alleged irregularities, claiming 620 reports of suspected fraud in Arab-majority polling stations, though the CEC maintains the complaints were addressed appropriately. Analysts suggest the unusually high turnout could boost both Likud and Avigdor Yisrael under Gadi Eisenkot beyond pre-election polling, while unprecedented participation in the Arab sector may deliver the Joint List and Ra'am a combined 15-16 seats. In the West Bank, some settlers who previously backed Netanyahu told reporters they have shifted support towards Smotrich and Ben Gvir's parties following the October 7th attacks, feeling the hardline partners offer stronger security guarantees. Flooding across the Arava and southern regions complicated voting, with Route 90 closed between Eilat and Ein Gedi and polling stations in affected Arava communities closing early at 8pm; the Movement for Quality Government proposed enabling residents to vote at accessible polling stations in neighbouring towns. Turnout remained a defining theme throughout the day, with border communities including Kiryat Shmona and Nahariya reporting long queues despite years of wartime disruption and evacuation.

Security

Israeli forces detected and apprehended a suspect who crossed the border fence near Nitzana overnight, following a pursuit that ended roughly two kilometres from the border in an area away from communities and military bases. The individual has been handed over to the Shin Bet for further questioning. Separately, satellite intelligence data cited by a specialist firm, along with Saudi and Houthi sources, indicates that Russian satellites have assisted Houthi rebels and Iraqi militias in striking targets inside Saudi Arabia, including a critical pipeline, raising fresh concerns over the expanding reach of Iran-aligned networks in the region.

International

Reports from Brazil indicate that Flavio Bolsonaro left the country for the United States following his election defeat to President Lula, with his passport reportedly cancelled amid an ongoing investigation. A close associate confirmed the departure to Reuters, though his exact route and current location remain unclear; Argentina has denied he sought asylum there. In Britain, Defence Secretary Wes Streeting reaffirmed his earlier warning that Israel risks 'pariah status' over the Netanyahu government's Gaza policy, while declining to say how he would vote in the Israeli elections. Separately, two men aged 24 appeared in a UK court charged under the National Security Act over an alleged plot targeting RAF Fairford, reportedly coordinated by a handler acting on behalf of Iran. In France, an Irish national, Patrick O'Brien, received a suspended prison sentence after threatening to shoot a Jewish tourist and making Holocaust-related remarks, a verdict criticised by Jewish campaigners as too lenient.

Economy

Israeli markets reflected cautious optimism as the shekel strengthened against major currencies, with the dollar trading at 3.02 shekels, the euro at 3.37 and the pound at 4.022. Gains on Wall Street and a surplus of institutional collateral are believed to be feeding into the local market. Oil prices also eased, with US crude down 1.7% and Brent down 0.7%.

Other Developments

Severe flooding struck areas from the Dead Sea to Eilat, prompting road closures across the south and warnings against hiking or driving in affected regions as conditions were expected to worsen overnight. Rain also fell in Jerusalem, the centre and the Shfela region. Despite the disruption, many Israelis spent the national holiday barbecuing in parks and at the beach. Separately, two labourers aged 20 and 24 were moderately injured after apparently falling from height while working in Kafr Qasim; both were evacuated to Beilinson Hospital, with the older victim suffering multi-system trauma and the younger sustaining a head injury.

Sources: Ynet, Walla, www.israelhayom.co.il, Times of Israel, Jerusalem Post