Domestic politics dominated Saturday's headlines, with Benny Gantz's successor Gadi Eisenkot setting out terms for a new coalition and fresh questions emerging over the conduct of police and the Prime Minister's Office during the recent election. Abroad, uncertainty over Washington's next move on Iran continued, as did unrest in France and Albania, while Jewish community health initiatives and a senior police officer's arrest rounded out a busy news day.

Politics

Gadi Eisenkot laid out four coalition principles on Saturday, declaring that any Knesset member willing to endorse them could join a prospective broad, Zionist government. The move is widely seen as an attempt to convert last month's October 27 election results into a workable governing coalition, though analysts note that Netanyahu, while surviving the vote, remains in office without a parliamentary majority, leaving Eisenkot holding the key to any potential change of government. Separately, scrutiny intensified over the so-called 'Ramgate' affair, in which information reportedly passed from the Prime Minister's Office to the police commissioner's office on election morning led to warrantless searches at the homes of Ra'am party officials. Netanyahu and his allies had alleged an attempt to steal the election, but police now reportedly see no basis for that suspicion, raising questions about whether a channel existed for passing information on opposition activists to senior officials, and whether the Prime Minister was aware. Meanwhile, the Mossad is to provide the Shin Bet with an assessment of suspected foreign interference in the recent elections, though it remains unclear whether this includes concrete investigative findings or merely an expert opinion.

Security

Three years on from her rescue from Hamas captivity in Gaza, former IDF observation soldier Uri Megidish described the moment she was freed, recalling how she ran and shouted in Hebrew to ensure nothing went wrong. She spoke of her efforts to rebuild a life not entirely defined by her ordeal, while remembering her friend Noa Marciano, who was murdered while held in captivity. Separately, a new analysis by the Associated Press found that Iranian strikes on US bases across the Middle East first disabled early-warning radar systems before more than 115 missile and drone strikes caused extensive damage across 26 sites, including aircraft and base infrastructure, resulting in losses estimated in the billions of dollars.

International

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said President Trump has 'not made a decision' on further action against Iran, while stressing Washington is already assisting regional allies against the Iranian threat. A senior Iranian official, Mohsen Rezaei, head of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, said Tehran had detected a shift in Washington's tone, though no formal decision has been made on altering the country's nuclear doctrine should another war break out. In Israel, preparations are reportedly intensifying for a possible resumption of fighting with Iran, even as attention turns to this week's US midterm elections, widely viewed as a referendum on Trump's presidency. Elsewhere, mass protests continued across France for a third consecutive week, largely peaceful though marked by tear gas and clashes with police in Paris; in Lyon, pro-Palestinian demonstrators burned Israeli and American flags during a separate protest over the cost of living. In Albania, anti-government protesters hurled firebombs at police in an escalation of unrest sparked by anger over a real estate project backed by Jared Kushner, with hundreds arrested as demonstrators demanded the prime minister's resignation. Russian authorities closed museums and a park in Moscow after the US embassy warned of a credible threat of a mass-casualty attack, with Russia's FSB confirming it had received intelligence from Washington. In London, dozens were arrested outside the US embassy after expressing support for Palestine Action, proscribed as a terrorist organisation since June. In Britain, the government signalled it may formally apologise for its historical role in the slave trade, though Prime Minister Keir Starmer's office ruled out reparations, amid tensions during King Charles's visit to former colonies.

Health

Jewish genetic screening charity Jnetics announced it has expanded its programme to cover a 50th hereditary condition, timed to coincide with the launch of a major fundraising drive aimed at helping more people learn their carrier status.

Other Developments

A senior police officer, holding the rank of chief superintendent, was arrested by the Police Internal Investigations Department on suspicion of assaulting, abusing and threatening his disabled wife, with evidence including photographs of bruising on her body. Separately, President Isaac Herzog backed a global initiative searching for 18 Jewish and Israeli humanitarian heroes, praising those working to change lives around the world, with nominations still open.

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