Good morning. As Israel heads towards its 27 October election, authorities are preparing contingency measures in case the vote is disrupted by security threats, while a new poll suggests Israelis are increasingly open to a unity government. The IDF has released chilling documents from Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar on the second anniversary of his death, and Ambassador Danny Danon delivered a forceful address at the UN Security Council. Abroad, former US President Donald Trump has declined to endorse Prime Minister Netanyahu ahead of the election while threatening military action against Iran's nuclear programme. On the corporate front, Israeli cybersecurity firm Varonis Systems is being acquired in a $6.3 billion deal.

Politics

Israeli authorities are drawing up detailed contingency plans for the 27 October election in case voting is disrupted by rocket fire or other security emergencies, with guidance stating the vote should proceed as scheduled even under emergency conditions. Officials have outlined procedures for handling sirens at polling stations and the narrow circumstances under which the election could be postponed, stressing any delay would need to be limited and justified rather than used to extend the government's tenure. Separately, a new Maariv poll found a majority of Israelis would favour a unity government should the election fail to produce a clear winner, while 48% of respondents said they believed Gadi Eisenkot would make a better prime minister than Benjamin Netanyahu, who received 41% support. Meanwhile, opposition parties within the so-called change bloc have reportedly met to coordinate a plan of action should they secure a parliamentary majority, including steps to reverse legislation passed under the current government and three measures they intend to bring to their first cabinet meeting. In Washington, Donald Trump declined to endorse Netanyahu in the upcoming race, saying he does not "trust anybody" in politics, while also claiming he would win 99% of the vote among Israelis if he ran for the premiership himself.

Security

Marking two years since Israeli forces killed Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, the IDF released a series of documents it says demonstrate how Sinwar sought to instil a "murderous ideology" in his family and followers. Among the material is a letter purportedly written by Sinwar's ten-year-old son expressing a desire to "shoot Jews," alongside instructions attributed to Sinwar encouraging October 7th terrorists to plan the broadcast of massacre footage, including point-blank shootings and the slaughter of victims, to maximise psychological impact. At the United Nations Security Council, Israel's ambassador Danny Danon delivered an emotional address recounting the story of the Tsesa family, calling for sanctions against Hamas and demands for its disarmament. Danon also issued a direct warning to Iran and Hezbollah, stating that any attack on Israel during the election period or at any other time would be met with a "devastating blow."

International

Donald Trump has threatened military action against Iran's Pickaxe Mountain nuclear facility, saying the United States could "knock it out fast," though he stopped short of confirming earlier reports suggesting the use of a GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast bomb, known as the "mother of all bombs." In the United States, Democratic Texas Senate candidate James Talarico said he holds Netanyahu, rather than the Israeli public, responsible for the devastation in Gaza, while acknowledging Israel's right to defend itself against Hamas. In Britain, the Equality and Human Rights Commission confirmed it has written to the Green Party to assess the impact of a recently passed motion declaring Zionism a form of racism, with the watchdog noting that many Jewish people are likely to feel vulnerable following the vote. Elsewhere, a shooting at an elementary school in Bend, Oregon left three children and a teacher dead; police identified the attacker as a 16-year-old local resident who was shot dead by an armed bystander, with another pupil and a teacher hospitalised in critical condition.

Economy

Israeli cybersecurity firm Varonis Systems is to be acquired by US-based Proofpoint in a deal valued at $6.3 billion, expected to close in the first half of 2027. Varonis' co-founder and chief executive said the company's mission going forward would be to "secure AI and the data that powers it," reflecting the growing focus on artificial intelligence security within the Israeli tech sector.

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