Israel remains gripped by post-election turmoil as President Isaac Herzog weighs who should receive the mandate to form the next government, with Diaspora Jewish leaders and civil society groups piling pressure on the opposition. Meanwhile, tensions with Iran have flared anew after reported strikes on Qeshm Island and a mine attack on a tanker in the Strait of Hormuz, as Washington offers a multi-million-dollar reward for intelligence on Tehran's nuclear programme. In the United States, President Trump's appointment of Stephen Miller as chief of staff has triggered a furious reaction from Democrats still assessing the fallout of the midterm elections.

Security

Tensions between Washington and Tehran intensified over the weekend. President Trump confirmed the US carried out what he called "minor strikes" on Iran's Qeshm Island after explosions and aircraft were reportedly heard; Iranian state media said two missiles had struck the island, with no official word yet on damage. Separately, Iran's navy said an oil tanker caught fire after striking a sea mine in the eastern Strait of Hormuz. US Central Command has offered a reward of up to $20 million, along with possible relocation, for information on Iran's nuclear programme, including facilities, equipment and personnel. Trump's rhetoric has fluctuated between talk of "destruction" and calls to end the conflict, amid accusations that the war contributed to the Republicans' heavy midterm losses. In Syria, intelligence services said they foiled an alleged Hezbollah plot, seizing explosives and arresting two suspects, a day after a Lebanese ministerial delegation visited Damascus; a cleric separately warned of Iranian plans to disrupt oil supplies. In the West Bank, two Palestinian Bedouin families left their homes near a new settlement outpost close to Jericho after eight houses were purchased on the city's outskirts. The IDF said the move was not coordinated with the military, which has had to divert forces from other duties to prevent settlers from taking over the vacated properties.

Politics

Israel's political deadlock continued to dominate headlines eleven days after the election, with President Herzog facing mounting pressure ahead of his decision on who should receive the mandate to form a government. The Movement for Quality Government held a rally at Habima Square in Tel Aviv on Saturday evening, with former Shin Bet chief Ami Ayalon and former justice minister Dan Meridor among the speakers, demanding that Netanyahu and Shin Bet chief Zini respect the ruling of election committee chairman Justice Noam Sohlberg and criticising what they termed "political investigations." Separately, around 1,000 Diaspora Jews, including prominent British Jewish figures, signed a letter within hours of its launch urging the Israeli opposition to form a government with Jewish and Arab parties to oust Netanyahu. Commentators noted growing friction within the anti-Netanyahu bloc, with Liberman voicing frustration, Golan striking an optimistic tone, and Bennett facing criticism for his silence. Others pointed to broken campaign pledges on cooperation with ultra-Orthodox and Arab parties, and renewed attacks from Miri Regev over accusations of political exclusion as Herzog's mandate decision approaches.

International

President Trump's appointment of Stephen Miller as White House chief of staff has caused uproar among Democrats. House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries said Miller had "American blood on his hands" and called for his immediate dismissal, while Chuck Schumer said Trump had "learned nothing from his historic defeat" in the midterms. Vice President JD Vance, in a blunt post-election assessment, called for a swift end to the Iran war and urged Republicans to focus on affordability and overhaul the US relationship with Israel, as he positions himself for a potential 2028 run. In Germany, Chancellor Friedrich Merz told a reception for Maccabiah athletes that Muslim immigrants who reject Germany's historical responsibility for the Holocaust "must leave our country." UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese drew sharp condemnation after telling the Irish parliament that Palestinians are "raped by dogs trained in European countries" and that "Israel has always killed children"; Israel's Foreign Ministry and Irish Jewish community groups rejected the remarks as "vile lies." In Sydney, Eva Geller, a 90-year-old Holocaust survivor, died from injuries sustained in the Bondi Beach terror attack during a Hanukkah celebration. In Ukraine, President Zelensky said Russia had launched 172 drones and 36 ballistic missiles overnight, all aimed at Kyiv and the surrounding region, while Italy's foreign minister said his personal data had been leaked on the dark web by pro-Russian hackers in apparent retaliation for Italy's support of Ukraine.

Economy

Jerusalem is set to undergo significant change under a new agreement between the municipality and the Defence Ministry, which includes relocating military infrastructure to the capital, constructing a 30-storey tower, and offering subsidised housing for officers ranked captain to lieutenant colonel. A senior official involved in the project said the goal was to bring a "quality, Zionist and service-oriented population" to the city.

Health

The Health Ministry issued a warning against swimming at Mediterranean beaches following heavy rainfall, citing concerns over runoff and drainage flowing into the sea. The advisory will remain in place until further notice.

Other Developments

Heavy rain battered northern and central Israel overnight, with Tel Aviv recording 40mm, including 35mm within a single hour. Ashdod topped the rainfall table with 83mm, flooding a car park near the seafront. Flooding was also reported along Tel Aviv's promenade and in Binyamina, along with stream flows in the south. Gan Yavne and surrounding areas have been without power since Friday. The Meteorological Service said rain would continue throughout Saturday.

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