Israel wakes up to the full picture of this week's election, with Likud confirmed as the largest party though short of a governing majority alongside its traditional allies. Coalition negotiations are already under way, with ultra-Orthodox parties weighing their next move. Meanwhile, security forces carried out counter-terrorism operations near Jenin, and a tragic road accident claimed the life of a bus driver transporting schoolgirls.
Politics
Final vote counts confirm Likud as the largest party in the 26th Knesset, though both the Netanyahu-aligned bloc and the opposition's change bloc fell short of the 61 seats needed for a majority without relying on Arab parties, which secured a record-breaking combined total of 19 seats. Shas leader Aryeh Deri has ruled out a change-bloc government that excludes Likud, while United Torah Judaism is weighing whether to enter coalition talks, exposing a growing divide between the two ultra-Orthodox parties over the way forward. Commentators have been quick to dissect the results: one analysis dismissed demographic explanations for the outcome, arguing the change bloc failed to persuade a single traditional or secular voter to switch sides, in either the periphery or the centre. Separately, questions have emerged over suspected foreign funding in the election, with observers noting that any scheme large enough to shift the national mandate map would require tens of thousands of voters to be reached, leaving a trail of intermediaries, lists, cash and witnesses. A Jerusalem Post editorial warned that without genuine political renewal, Israel risks remaining stuck with familiar faces and familiar arguments despite the upheavals since October 7.
Security
The IDF confirmed that Duvdevan Unit fighters and the Paratroopers Brigade, acting on Shin Bet intelligence under the Menashe Brigade's command, arrested four terrorists in Jenin on Thursday. The suspects, previously linked to the city's terror infrastructure dismantled during Operation Iron Wall, were allegedly involved in trading weapons and have been transferred for further interrogation. Separately, police opened an investigation into a suspected arson at an unpopulated structure near the Sussya settlement in the Hebron area, alongside reports of property damage and graffiti. Hebron police and forensic investigators from the Judea and Samaria district, secured by IDF forces, were collecting evidence and testimony at the scene.
International
US efforts to reach a deal with Iran may be entering a decisive phase. CENTCOM's commander reportedly made an unusual visit to the White House on Thursday evening to present President Trump with military options, while Washington awaits a response to a letter sent by Vice President Vance to former Revolutionary Guards commander Mohsen Rezaei, whom US officials view as potentially the only figure capable of building broad consensus for a deal that would halt Iran's nuclear programme. Separately, a US general dismissed by Defence Secretary Hegseth has reportedly confessed to leaking classified information about Iran, with a senior official condemning the betrayal of trust involved in disclosing such material for personal or political gain. In financial news, the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange, Binance, confirmed a hack worth $6.3 billion, with blockchain analysts pointing to a North Korean-affiliated hacker group as the likely culprit; the exchange says all user losses will be covered. Russia's defence ministry said its air defences intercepted and destroyed 1,043 Ukrainian drones overnight across Russian territory.
Other Developments
A tractor collided with a bus carrying a group of schoolgirls, reportedly on their way to a school trip, killing the driver and leaving two women seriously and moderately injured; 22 other passengers sustained light injuries. Route 25 was closed to traffic following the crash. In a separate incident near Rishon LeZion, a cyclist in his sixties was killed after being struck by a vehicle, with the driver taken in for questioning. Police are investigating both incidents. In an unrelated case, a 23-year-old man from the Galilee was arrested on suspicion of drug trafficking after officers stopped his vehicle for a routine check at the Tzalmon interchange and discovered a large quantity of suspected narcotics, including cannabis packages, edibles and a vape cartridge, concealed in a delivery company box.
Media Consensus
Israeli outlets are broadly aligned in reporting that Likud has emerged as the largest party but that neither bloc can form a government without the backing of Arab parties or a shift in ultra-Orthodox allegiances, setting the stage for prolonged coalition negotiations. There is also consistent coverage of IDF counter-terrorism activity in Jenin and shared reporting on the fatal bus-tractor collision, though commentary pieces differ in their political interpretation of the election results.
What to Watch
- Whether UTJ joins coalition talks and how this affects the balance between the Netanyahu bloc and the change bloc
- Developments in US efforts to secure a nuclear deal with Iran, including any response to the Vance-Rezaei correspondence
- Further details emerging from the investigation into suspected foreign funding allegations linked to the election
Sources: Ynet, Walla, www.israelhayom.co.il, Times of Israel, Jerusalem Post
