Good morning. Today's briefing covers a fatal road incident in Tel Aviv linked to a car theft ring, diplomatic friction as PA leader Mahmoud Abbas is denied a US visa for the second consecutive year, and a stark warning from Israel's top defence think tank about the West Bank. We also look at regional security developments including the planned F-35 sale to Saudi Arabia, the future of UNIFIL in Lebanon, and a retired fighter pilot's response to a controversial documentary on Gaza casualty figures.

Security

A 24-year-old man from the Nablus area was arrested after allegedly stealing a car containing burglary tools and a hotwiring device, then fatally striking a cyclist on Yonitzman Street in Tel Aviv near Tzuk Beach. The vehicle overturned during the incident, and police recovered a hammer and glass-breaking equipment inside.

The Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) has issued a rare 'strategic alert' warning that terrorism in the West Bank now constitutes a 'distinct strategic threat' to Israel, notably the first such alert since one issued months before the 7 October attacks.

Separately, a retired senior fighter pilot who carried out thousands of strikes in Gaza, Lebanon, Iran, Syria and Yemen has broken his silence following a documentary that caused controversy in Israel and abroad, disputing casualty figures and describing the intense scrutiny applied before any strike is approved.

An explainer piece examined what will replace UNIFIL along the Israel-Lebanon border once the peacekeeping mission concludes, raising questions about monitoring, support for the Lebanese army, and prevention of renewed conflict with Hezbollah.

Politics

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has been denied a US visa for the second year running, preventing him from attending the UN General Assembly, with other PA officials also reportedly barred from entry.

US Vice President JD Vance said President Trump has been willing to differ with, and would 'part ways' with, Prime Minister Netanyahu when necessary, characterising Trump as a president prepared to challenge Israeli policy – a claim likely to raise eyebrows among close observers of the US-Israel relationship.

In the UK, Labour MP Tahir Ali apologised after appearing to suggest military action against Israel, stating the comments did not reflect his views.

International

The US House of Representatives passed a Russia sanctions bill championed by Senator Lindsey Graham, sending it to President Trump's desk. The measures target Russian officials, banks and oil tankers; Democrats were split over concerns Trump might use accompanying tariff powers against European allies, though Ukrainian President Zelensky had lobbied in favour.

In Iran, reports suggest the regime is hesitant to strictly enforce the mandatory headscarf law amid wartime and economic pressures, with an activist noting authorities fear renewed protests.

Saudi Arabia is facing mounting security pressure on multiple fronts, with Houthi escalation in Yemen and Iran-backed militias in Iraq cited as key concerns by regional sources.

Meanwhile, US intelligence has reportedly warned against approving a proposed sale of 48 F-35 stealth jets to Saudi Arabia, amid concerns that China's close ties with the kingdom – including assistance with its missile programme – could enable espionage on sensitive American technology.

Economy

Operators of Israel's after-school 'tzaharon' childcare programmes have petitioned the courts against an Education Ministry decision to cut roughly NIS 90 million from local authority budgets allocated to running the programmes, following the introduction of a clause on children's nutrition. Operators warn the funding cut could cause many frameworks to collapse and close, affecting working families nationwide.

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