Tonight's briefing covers escalating US-Iran tensions and their implications for Israel, a historic political shift as a former deputy minister joins an Arab party list, and a string of security and infrastructure developments across the country.

Security

Israel is monitoring the aftermath of overnight US strikes on Iran, with officials assessing the confrontation will likely remain contained unless either side sustains significant damage. Tehran is publicly downplaying the incident while privately threatening a decisive response, and former President Trump vowed America would 'hit them hard' if provoked further. Vice President Vance acknowledged concerns over US ammunition shortages, attributing them to years of underinvestment in the military under the previous administration, while noting Iran is sending mixed signals. Separately, the IDF confirmed Dado Bar Khalifa will take over Central Command in 2027, alongside new appointments to lead Flotilla 13 and several divisions and brigades. A New York Times feature highlighting former senior Israeli military figures condemning extremist settler violence in the West Bank drew a sharp IDF rebuttal, with one ex-general reportedly describing settlers as a greater threat to Israel than Iran. Female soldiers were barred from an operational driving course just days before it began, sparking anger among servicewomen who say they are being sidelined despite having served during the war. Two veteran pharmacists at the Glilot military base are under investigation for allegedly running a black-market medicine trade worth tens of thousands of shekels.

Politics

In a historic move, former deputy minister for public security Segalovitch is joining Ra'am, becoming the first Jewish candidate ever to run on the party's list, a decision announced jointly with party leader Mansour Abbas. Segalovitch rejected criticism that the move signals political weakness, arguing that reform cannot happen 'without connection', while opposition figure Yair Lapid called it a mistake. Separately, United Torah Judaism's Degel HaTorah faction is reportedly considering seeking ministerial portfolios for the first time, a significant departure from its long-standing principled abstention from government posts, with MK Moshe Gafni expected to lead its list. Security around Supreme Court Deputy President and Central Elections Committee chairman Noam Sohlberg has been increased on police recommendation following prior threats. The head of the advisory committee on VIP security defended the decision to grant protection to Sara Netanyahu, citing a 'severe threat level', while also calling for the arrest of a journalist critical of the family. Yesh Atid veteran and former minister Meir Cohen announced he will not run in the next election, the latest in a series of departures from the party.

International

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez accused Israel and Russia, alongside the international far-right, of spreading disinformation that fuelled the migrant crisis in Ceuta, claiming false narratives about a Spanish Supreme Court ruling contributed to the arrival of over 70,000 migrants. He accused the parties of seeking to 'sow discord' in Europe over positions on the wars in the Middle East and Ukraine, while praising Morocco's stance. Meanwhile, the UAE strongly condemned the overnight US-Iran escalation as 'dangerous', placing full responsibility on Tehran.

Other Developments

Tel Aviv has restricted non-essential water use after the shutdown of most private desalination facilities nationwide, caused by severe turbidity in seawater from recent weather; the national cyber authority confirmed the disruption is not a cyberattack. In Rahat, police arrested Tel Sheva council head Omar Za'al al-Assam along with several family members and officials on suspicion of bribery, rigged tenders and fictitious employment, with police warning against criminal elements 'turning local authorities into crime strongholds'. Police made a breakthrough in the case of infants sedated with anaesthetic-laced baby food, arresting a suspect for questioning, with no indication of a nationalist motive. In Nepal, the number of missing following a catastrophic glacial flood has risen to around 4,500, with a second Israeli citizen now reported missing alongside earlier cases; rescue efforts using controlled explosions in collapsed hydroelectric tunnels have so far only recovered bodies. Communities in the Galilee region are marking the start of the school year with reduced student numbers and non-standard classrooms, as the effects of the war and evacuation continue to be felt.

Sources: Ynet