Thursday's news cycle was shaped by growing uncertainty over the fate of US-Iran nuclear negotiations, with President Trump suggesting a deal may no longer be necessary even as Israeli officials believe talks have not entirely collapsed. On the domestic front, tensions flared between outgoing IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi's successor Eisenkot and Prime Minister Netanyahu over security briefings, while coalition negotiations continued to generate friction. Internationally, Israel's diplomatic standing faced fresh scrutiny in Europe, and Haifa's cable car was again beset by technical problems.

Security

Israeli officials continue to assess that negotiations between the United States and Iran have not entirely broken down, despite President Trump declaring that a deal is no longer necessary, claiming Washington has secured both Iran's financial assets and control over the Strait of Hormuz. Trump reportedly instructed Vice President Vance to shift his focus away from seeking direct talks with Tehran. According to information available in Jerusalem, Iran has not softened its position, and officials in Washington increasingly believe a deal is unlikely, leaving open the question of whether Trump will opt for continued pressure or military action. Separately, former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot held a two-hour security briefing with Netanyahu, a day after he asked Attorney-General Gali Baharav-Miara to intervene, alleging the Prime Minister had been withholding briefings from him while the government operates in a caretaker capacity. On Gaza, an Israeli aid expert noted that only eight to ten aid organisations are currently permitted to bring supplies into the Strip, as Israel continues to block certain building materials over dual-use concerns, with roughly 91,000 tents reported to be falling short of need. A separate investigation examined how Hamas-issued figures on Gaza's winter flooding spread through international media, raising questions over sourcing and verification amid Israel's ongoing winter aid efforts.

Politics

Israel's envoy to the Netherlands, Zvi Aviner Vapni, was recalled after publicly criticising ministers Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, telling an interviewer he felt no obligation to defend them. In coalition politics, Israel Prize laureate Miriam Peretz said her son, newly elected Yashar MK Elyasaf Peretz, would resign if a coalition were formed with Arab parties, amid pressure he is said to be facing over the issue; he had already ruled out sitting alongside Ra'am ahead of the election. Separately, a petition backed by anti-Israel parties across Europe, alleging Israel failed to prevent genocide in Gaza, surpassed one million signatures, prompting the European Commission to examine the EU's commercial and political partnership with Israel, with an official response due by May 2027. Most signatures reportedly came from France, Italy and Spain, though according to Politico no substantial policy shift is expected.

International

A Conservative delegation led by Kevin Hollinrake visited Israel amid strained UK-Israel ties, holding talks with Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar in Jerusalem. Separately, the UK government said it 'strongly regrets' Iran's election to the UN Human Rights Committee, with a Foreign Office minister rejecting claims that Britain had supported Tehran's nomination. In Washington, US House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries called for 'dramatic change' in American military aid to Israel following his party's election successes, while also sharply criticising Trump's military action against Iran as a 'reckless and costly war of choice.' Saudi Arabia is reportedly pressing the European Union to designate Yemen's Houthi rebels as a terrorist organisation, though European officials say the bloc remains reluctant, fearing it could undermine its ability to influence a future peace process. In Edinburgh, Jewish poet Tracey S. Rosenberg accused a bookshop of discrimination after an event was cancelled following complaints about her alleged Zionist views. Elsewhere, four Turkish soldiers were killed when a Sikorsky S-70 military helicopter crashed near Malatya in eastern Turkey, cause yet to be determined. A Spanish court ordered the far-right group Núcleo Nacional to cease operations after it spread antisemitic propaganda, accused Israel of genocide in Gaza, and alleged Israeli involvement in Muslim migration to Europe, following the arrest of 14 members last week. In Washington DC, a gunman killed one person and wounded four in a shooting that began inside a gym before he took his own life.

Technology

A global outage disrupted Microsoft Outlook for roughly an hour, with more than 130,000 user reports received. Microsoft initially attributed the fault to an issue in North America but said it could affect users in other regions as well.

Other Developments

Haifa's cable car suffered a second malfunction within days, trapping around 16 to 20 passengers at height for more than an hour after a cabin became stuck near the Check Post station. Firefighting and rescue teams, including the specialised Lahav unit, were dispatched to the scene, with authorities describing it as a technical fault posing no danger to passengers. One passenger described frightening moments inside the cabin, citing poor air quality. The lower section resumed operation after roughly ninety minutes, with the upper section following around thirty minutes later; the cable car had only just returned to service following earlier maintenance work.

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