This afternoon's briefing covers intensifying coalition negotiations in Jerusalem following a turbulent election period, growing concern in Washington about the durability of US-Israel ties after sweeping Democratic midterm gains, and a flurry of regional security incidents including a deadly stabbing attack in Amman.

Politics

Israeli political manoeuvring has deepened in the wake of recent elections, with parties positioning themselves over a possible power-sharing arrangement between Benjamin Netanyahu and Benny Gantz's former ally-turned-rival Benny Gantz, or more specifically Benny Gantz's successor figure Benny Eisenkot. Ra'am leader Mansour Abbas confirmed his party's full support for Hamas disarmament and said he backs Eisenkot for prime minister, while Ben-Gvir's Otzma Yehudit has recommended Netanyahu and Yair Golan's Democrats have thrown their support behind Eisenkot. United Torah Judaism has chosen to abstain from recommending Netanyahu, while Likud is expected to back its leader, though Eisenkot is thought likely to receive the mandate to form a government. Adding a further twist, senior Shas sage Rabbi Moshe Maya called for a rotation arrangement between Netanyahu and Eisenkot, suggesting the pair could combine the Haredi parties with Religious Zionism to form what he described as an excellent government, while blaming media coverage for Shas's political difficulties. Analysts note Israel finds itself in an even more uncertain position than before the election, with another vote next year considered a realistic possibility.

International

Tony Blair, a senior figure on President Trump's Middle East peace council, arrived in Israel during a politically sensitive period, holding talks with President Isaac Herzog focused on the stalled American plan for Gaza's future. A series of further meetings is expected during his visit. Separately, concern is mounting over the durability of US financial support for Israel following sweeping Democratic gains in the midterm elections. A former Biden administration official warned that continued financial assistance to Israel may not be politically sustainable, suggesting future Democratic presidential candidates are unlikely to support it. Vice President JD Vance controversially attributed his party's heavy midterm losses to the Middle East conflict, calling the Israel-Iran war the real reason for the defeats. Commentators have suggested the Democratic sweep could accelerate pressure to end the Iran conflict and complicate US-Israel relations under Netanyahu, noting that while the Trump administration retains veto power, Congress's control of the purse strings gives it significant leverage. In London, the Metropolitan Police issued an apology and settled a legal claim with a 68-year-old pro-Palestinian activist after admitting his arrest at St Pancras station breached anti-terrorism laws.

Security

Jordan reported a fatal stabbing attack near the Sri Lankan embassy in Amman, in which an assailant attempted to seize a weapon from security personnel. One officer was killed and another wounded before the attacker was arrested. Separately, Turkey reported that one of its soldiers was killed in an unusual exchange of fire with Iranian forces along their shared border over the weekend, with a joint investigation now under way. In the West Bank, Border Police undercover units arrested a 46-year-old resident of Atil village suspected of running a people-smuggling operation, allegedly moving 30 to 40 undocumented migrants into Israel daily via the Jerusalem envelope area, charging each between 550 and 700 shekels. The suspect had reportedly evaded several previous arrest attempts. Meanwhile, prosecutors filed an indictment against a 20-year-old Jerusalem resident accused of planting an explosive device that destroyed a car in Or Yehuda in September and throwing a stun grenade at a house in the city in August. No injuries were reported in the car explosion.

Other Developments

A hazardous materials incident at an educational institution in Jerusalem's Shuafat neighbourhood left 25 children and staff feeling unwell after cleaning products were mixed, triggering a chemical reaction. Magen David Adom evacuated a 10-year-old boy in moderate condition along with 24 others in light condition to hospital. In Rehovot, police detained three employees of Kaplan Medical Center, including a senior official, for questioning after hospital management filed a complaint alleging blood samples were taken from cardiology patients for research purposes without their consent. The head of the cardiology department has been suspended amid a separate ongoing matter. Tel Aviv's Ayalon Highway, Israel's busiest road, will be closed for electrical works over the weekend, alongside disruption to most Tel Aviv rail stations. The Israel Electric Corporation has also urged the public to report power outages and avoid downed lines as it braces for possible weather-related damage.

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