Israel's political landscape is being redrawn ahead of the 26th Knesset elections, with a flurry of list announcements, defections and coalition manoeuvring dominating the domestic agenda. Security forces reported a successful operation against a Hamas cell in the West Bank, while a Jerusalem shooting and a distressing health update added to a busy news cycle.

Security

Israeli forces, acting on Shin Bet intelligence, arrested ten suspected Hamas operatives in the West Bank village of Aqaba, uncovering a rocket without a launcher and explosive materials intended for bomb-making during the operation involving IDF troops and the elite Yamam counter-terrorism unit. Separately, a man in his thirties was shot and seriously wounded by a civilian in Jerusalem during an apparent robbery attempt and was taken to Shaare Zedek Medical Centre. National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir has frozen a planned reshuffle of 141 senior police officers just a day before it was due to take effect, in a dispute reportedly centred on the appointment of a deputy legal adviser to the police, deepening tensions between the minister and police leadership ahead of the election. A retired judge issued a sharp rebuke to the State Attorney's Office over its handling of a complaint from a Shin Bet officer suffering from post-traumatic stress linked to her security service, citing repeated delays and inadequate handling of her case.

Politics

The battle to shape Israel's next government intensified as parties finalised their Knesset lists ahead of Tuesday's registration deadline. Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid launched a joint list under the banner "Together", with Bennett pledging an immediate state commission of inquiry into the events of 7 October, a 30 per cent reduction in the cost of living, and reforms to ultra-Orthodox conscription, declaring that "the government of 7 October destroyed, the government of 27 October will repair". Avigdor Liberman unveiled his Yisrael Beiteinu list, placing Rafi Ben Shitrit, who lost his son on 7 October, in second place, with Talia Lankri third, while criticising former IDF chief Gadi Eisenkot's leadership credentials. Eisenkot's Yesh! list gained momentum after Haim Troper's Zionist Home party agreed to merge, placing Troper sixth, while Yoaz Hendel is set to run alongside former state comptroller Yaron Zilcha following the collapse of his partnership with Troper. Shas convened its rabbinical council to review its list, which is expected to remain largely unchanged, while Degel HaTorah published its list following the removal of veteran lawmakers Moshe Gafni and Yaakov Margi. Elsewhere, Likud minister Haim Katz was filmed in a foul-mouthed altercation with the husband of fellow minister Gila Gamliel amid accusations of primary vote manipulation, and Tzvika Fogel, chair of the National Security Committee, announced his withdrawal from politics after being demoted on Otzma Yehudit's list. The Central Elections Committee also reversed a decision by its chairman, allowing parties to use the contested "elector" data tool, though further High Court petitions are expected.

International

In Germany, the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) scored a historic result in Saxony-Anhalt's state election, winning an estimated 44 per cent of the vote, though a governing coalition remains unlikely as other parties have ruled out working with it. Separately, tensions between the United Kingdom and Argentina over the Falkland Islands have escalated after Argentina's president threatened sanctions against companies involved in oil drilling near the disputed territory, including an Israeli firm, following reports that the United States under Donald Trump may reconsider its long-standing position on the islands' sovereignty.

Health

The family of ten-year-old Roei Zigdon, who contracted a rare brain-eating amoeba at a water park on the Sea of Galilee in July 2024, say there has been no improvement in his condition, with the boy remaining in a vegetative state nearly two years on. His mother said she plans to meet the family of nine-year-old Baruch Nerya, who was infected with the same parasite at the same lake, to offer support amid the absence of any medical breakthrough.

Other Developments

A Jerusalem resident's warm welcome to Turkish tourists at Jaffa Gate drew a startling response of "this is my home", amid growing concern over Turkey's expanding cultural and political influence in the city. A Jerusalem rabbi was sentenced to 18 years in prison after being convicted of sexually abusing two of his students, with the court ordering him to pay each victim 150,000 shekels in compensation.

Sources: Ynet