Today's briefing covers a fresh Israeli strike in Gaza City, renewed debate over Netanyahu's political promises and coalition plans, and escalating regional tensions involving Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia and incidents in the Strait of Hormuz. Domestically, a nature reserve fire forced evacuations in the Galilee.

Security

The IDF confirmed it struck a vehicle in the Tel al-Hawa neighbourhood of western Gaza City, killing two people it identified as Hamas terrorists, according to Palestinian reports and footage circulated on social media. Elsewhere in the region, tensions continue to rise: Iran-backed Houthi rebels claimed to have struck a Saudi military base with missiles and drones, with two people reported hurt near Saudi Arabia's southern border amid a week-long offensive that saw the group capture the remainder of Yemen's Red Sea coast. A report suggested Yemeni army rosters are riddled with 'ghost names', leaving the port city of Mocha vulnerable to Houthi takeover, with blame split between Yemeni leaders, the United States and Saudi Arabia. Separately, an Iranian-owned commercial vessel was reportedly attacked near the island of Qeshm, with Iranian officials claiming one person was killed and three injured, while Britain's maritime trade agency reported that local authorities were evacuating crew from a ship attacked in the Strait of Hormuz.

Politics

Nearly three years after his 2022 election victory, an examination of Benjamin Netanyahu's promises from that night – restoring security, lowering the cost of living, and healing national rifts – found most had not materialised, while judicial reform, which later sparked unprecedented protests, went unmentioned in his victory speech. Meanwhile, sources close to Otzma Yehudit leader Itamar Ben-Gvir believe Netanyahu's shifting messaging suggests he may prefer a broader national coalition after the next election, potentially leaving Ben-Gvir's party outside government. In a separate political exchange, former minister Yizhar Shai, who lost his son Yaron, publicly rebuked Talya Goelli, mother of a fallen soldier who recently entered politics, after she suggested that a Likud election loss would mean the fallen would be forgotten. Shai insisted there are no political 'camps' in bereavement and that some things matter more than defending political leadership.

International

A newly revealed secret dossier shows that al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden intended to attack both the United Kingdom and Israel years before the September 11 attacks, with plans dating back to 1998 identifying both countries as targets. Separately, the United States' special envoy for combating antisemitism has raised concerns over rising anti-Israel rhetoric in Thailand, warning of an escalation in hostility towards Israelis in Bangkok and Phuket following the cancellation of a Rosh Hashanah event and nationalist protests demanding 'Jews out'. Washington said it is acting to protect the Jewish community in the country.

Other Developments

A fire broke out in the Tel Dan nature reserve in the Hula Valley on the final day of the holiday, prompting Israel's Nature and Parks Authority to request firefighting assistance. All visitors were evacuated from the hiking trails as crews worked to contain the blaze.

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