Good morning. Today's briefing covers a significant IDF strike on a Hamas command centre inside a Gaza hospital, mounting diplomatic pressure over Israeli settlement plans near Jerusalem, and fresh tensions in the Strait of Hormuz. We also look at defence industry developments, a major Israeli tech funding round, and reactions to a controversial new appointment in Washington.

Security

The IDF carried out a strike on Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis, targeting a Hamas cell it said had been using the facility to store weapons, operate command centres and plan attacks against Israel. Palestinian sources claimed that Khaled Abu Anza, commander of Hamas's Khan Yunis brigade, was among those killed, though this has not been officially confirmed. The IDF noted that the hospital had previously housed an interrogation and torture facility run by Hamas, which had led Médecins Sans Frontières to suspend operations there due to the presence of armed, masked men. Separately, Israeli prosecutors are preparing an indictment against a Palestinian man accused of setting fire to a vehicle at the Hanina farm in Binyamin and drawing a knife with the intent to stab a settler; he faces charges of attempted murder and planning military activity. A Jerusalem Post explainer examined the legal questions surrounding whether a transitional government, as Gadi Eisenkot works to form a coalition, retains the authority to launch a new war against Iran, noting that Prime Minister Netanyahu currently holds such power despite the caretaker status.

International

According to a New York Times report cited by Ynet, Iran's neighbours—including Turkey, Iraq and Pakistan—are resisting American pressure to close their land borders as part of an expanded economic blockade on Tehran, fearing the move would also damage their own economies. Iranian state media reported that two oil tankers were damaged in explosions overnight in the Strait of Hormuz, with the Revolutionary Guard navy claiming the vessels had been sailing an unauthorised route. At a UN climate summit in Turkey, President Erdogan described the Gaza war as an 'ecocide', while Iran's president also used the platform to criticise Israel and the United States for environmental damage; Israel dismissed the remarks as a 'campaign of lies'. Denmark and several other European countries are pushing for an emergency UN Security Council meeting next week over Israel's E1 settlement plans, a move Israel's UN ambassador called a 'moral disgrace' reflecting how 'out of touch with reality' these countries have become. Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton, following a visit to the Rafah crossing, called on Israel to allow aid trucks into Gaza and halt what he termed 'genocide'. Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem claimed that both Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu had been politically 'defeated', asserting the Israeli prime minister 'has been broken'. In Washington, conservative Jewish organisations welcomed Stephen Miller's appointment as White House chief of staff as recognition of Jewish American contributions to public service, while Democratic critics warned the move could make Jews 'less safe'. Elsewhere, the Kremlin said President Putin would discuss prospects for peace in Ukraine with US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, while North Korea announced it would accelerate development of deterrent capabilities in response to what it called growing maritime threats from the US and its allies.

Economy

Elbit Systems has secured a major contract to supply an unnamed European country with PULS artillery rocket systems and munitions over a five-year period. The deal includes capability for unguided rocket launches, precision munitions and missiles across various ranges. The company's CEO said the agreement reflects the system's operational maturity.

Technology

Goldman Sachs has led an $80 million funding round for Daylight, an Israeli-founded cybersecurity firm established by Hagai Shapira and Eldad Rudich, who met during their military service and previously worked together at cybersecurity company Torq.

Other Developments

The Jewish Telegraphic Agency reported on the case of a Bedouin man hailed as a hero for rescuing 30 people during the 7 October attacks, whose family homes have since been demolished by Israeli authorities—a development he described as devastating given his sacrifices that day. Chabad and ZAKA have launched a joint international emergency response, search and rescue unit aimed at assisting Jewish communities worldwide in times of crisis. Separately, Professor Colin Holmes, a leading historian of British antisemitism at the University of Sheffield, has died aged 88 after decades of research into anti-Jewish prejudice and British fascism.

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