As Israel enters its sixth day since the election, the battle over who will be tasked with forming the next government has intensified, with Gadi Eisenkot's camp pushing hard for the first opportunity. Meanwhile, security operations continued in Gaza, a toddler abuse investigation widened in Ariel, and a court dismissed a lawsuit brought by Sara Netanyahu.
Politics
Senior figures in Gadi Eisenkot's camp are pushing for him to be given the first chance to form a government, reportedly so he can move quickly to repeal several judicial overhaul laws before they take effect, with replacing the Knesset Speaker also high on the agenda. Avigdor Liberman, chairman of Yisrael Beiteinu, is keeping his recommendation close to his chest but is expected to make an announcement on Monday. According to a senior Joint List official, the Joint List and Ra'am are expected to recommend Eisenkot for prime minister during consultations with President Isaac Herzog, who has called on political leaders to show flexibility ahead of coalition negotiations. Meanwhile, ultra-Orthodox parties remain uncourted five days after the vote: despite numerous briefings and speculation, none of the candidates vying to form a government have yet approached the Haredi parties, who are insisting on the military draft exemption law as a precondition for any political arrangement. United Torah Judaism was expected to convene to decide whether, and whom, to recommend to the president. Separately, a Joint List MK is under investigation on suspicion of receiving Qatari funding during the 2026 election campaign, though investigators say they currently have no evidence of what the money was used for or clear proof it originated from Qatar. The incoming 26th Knesset will include 33 women, 47 newcomers, five former IDF generals and a former Shin Bet chief.
Security
Palestinian sources reported that at least eight people, including five police officers, were killed in two separate Israeli strikes in the Gaza Strip on Sunday, according to Reuters citing medical officials and the Hamas-run Interior Ministry. Three people were reportedly killed in a strike on Gaza City, while five officers were killed in a strike in western Khan Younis. Separately, dozens of ultra-Orthodox protesters blocked roads outside the IDF's Tel Hashomer induction base in an attempt to prevent more than 200 Haredim from joining the military; police dispersed the demonstrators with no arrests or injuries reported. In a further sign of rising violence, a man was shot dead in the Druze village of Isfiya, bringing the annual toll of Arab homicide victims in Israel to 193, a watchdog group said, noting that 164 of this year's victims were killed by gunfire following a string of shootings this week in Tel Sheva, Reineh, Tayibe and Yafia.
Health
The Jnetics charity has expanded its genetic screening programme to cover a 50th hereditary condition, with the announcement coming as the organisation launches a major fundraising drive to help more people learn their carrier status.
Other Developments
A Tel Aviv court dismissed a lawsuit filed by Sara Netanyahu, the prime minister's wife, against a former cleaning employee at the Prime Minister's Residence, ordering Netanyahu to pay the woman 10,000 shekels in legal costs. Judge Ronen Ilan preferred the employee's version of events, ruling that she was protected by truth and good-faith defences in her publication, and stating that Netanyahu's apology letter "did the plaintiff a disservice." In Ariel, a court extended the remand of three nursery workers suspected of abusing toddlers and harming vulnerable people until Wednesday; a fourth suspect arrested overnight was released to house arrest, and two further carers were released under restrictive conditions following questioning. Six suspects have been arrested in total in the case. Separately, police requests for house arrest for a doctor suspected of involvement in election bribery in the Negev were rejected, with the judge criticising the investigation and releasing the 38-year-old physician unconditionally. In Jerusalem, a 16-year-old was seriously injured and a 13-year-old moderately hurt in a collision between a mobility scooter and a bus on Jeremiah Street; both were taken to Shaare Zedek Medical Centre.
Media Consensus
Israeli outlets are aligned in reporting that coalition negotiations remain unsettled, with Eisenkot's camp pressing for the first mandate while Haredi parties wait to be approached and Liberman withholds his recommendation. Multiple sources confirm the dismissal of Sara Netanyahu's lawsuit and the expanding Ariel abuse investigation, while security coverage consistently notes continued Gaza strikes and rising violence in Arab communities.
What to Watch
- Whether Liberman announces his recommendation on Monday and who ultimately receives the mandate to form the government
- Whether Haredi parties are formally approached by coalition negotiators and how they respond
- Further developments in the Ariel nursery abuse investigation as remand hearings continue
Sources: Ynet, Walla, www.israelhayom.co.il, Times of Israel, Jerusalem Post
