This afternoon's briefing covers a wave of domestic and international developments: protests by ultra-Orthodox youth over draft enforcement, an IDF investigation into a fatal vehicle accident in Lebanon, a major corruption probe implicating a mayor's office, and renewed international attention on settler violence in the West Bank, Iranian espionage in Britain, and antisemitic incidents across Europe.

Security

Hundreds of children from the Breslov Hasidic community gathered outside Military Prison 10 near Beit Lid to protest the detention of draft evaders, a day after the outgoing head of the IDF Manpower Directorate, Brig. Gen. Shai Tayeb, warned that operational demands had doubled since the war began, leaving the army short of thousands of soldiers. The Education Ministry instructed the Haredi district to act with full severity against what it called an impermissible phenomenon.

Separately, the IDF is investigating suspected negligence after an officer was killed in a Humvee accident in southern Lebanon. According to the family, only one vehicle was sent on the mission despite operational orders requiring at least two vehicles to travel together in Lebanese territory.

Politics

Israeli police arrested Kfar Saba Mayor Rafi Saar, his wife, and fifteen others in a major municipal corruption investigation. The mayor's wife is suspected of playing a significant role in a bribery scheme, particularly in coordinating with businesspeople linked to the municipality.

Meanwhile, the fallout continues from the leaked conversations between political strategist Yonatan Urich and journalist Amit Segal, which has stirred political controversy. Beyond the political spin, the episode has exposed serious security failings, with reports indicating that leaked code and external services harvested data, raising concerns about WhatsApp security that officials say go beyond sophisticated spyware.

International

CBS's '60 Minutes' aired an investigation into the West Bank, featuring interviews with settlers and Palestinians. Correspondent Lesley Stahl reported being taken by Palestinians to a violent outpost where she was confronted with hostile questioning, concluding that settlers are intensifying efforts toward expulsion while the government declines to act.

A Fatah official based in Lebanon, Abu Shahab, claimed that demanding a two-state solution represents a calculated trap for Israel, asserting that Israel understands the risks a Palestinian state could pose and therefore resists it.

In Britain, two men accused of gathering intelligence on Jewish and Israeli targets, including the country's oldest synagogue, allegedly on behalf of Iran, are set to face trial in April 2027. They deny the charges.

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran is still awaiting the final US position on its proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, stressing that only a negotiated agreement can resolve the crisis, with the strait's reopening contingent on Iran's conditions being met.

Antisemitic incidents continued to draw attention across Europe. In Berlin, a shop owner has been repeatedly attacked after displaying posters condemning antisemitism, with assaults reportedly beginning after the 7 October anniversary. In London, a Jewish passenger was allegedly threatened with removal from Farringdon Station after challenging a Thameslink staff member wearing a pro-Palestinian badge over comments denying the 7 October atrocities.

Israel's Immigration Authority rejected a German journalist's work visa application over her anti-Zionist political activities, with officials stating that anti-Israel actors should not be permitted entry under the guise of professional journalism.

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