Friday brought a sobering mix of security losses and political manoeuvring. Two IDF soldiers were killed in a shooting attack in the West Bank, even as the military said it had thwarted a larger plot. Simultaneously, senior American officials signalled that a fresh strike on Iran remains imminent, while Tehran threatened retaliation by targeting Gulf internet infrastructure. On the domestic front, Israel's election race sharpened with a controversial Likud campaign and a rare public break from a long-time Netanyahu ally.

Security

Two IDF soldiers, Staff Sergeant Ron Yonatan Roytman and Sergeant Yuval Shai Svilem, were killed and three others injured in a terror attack near Judea junction in the West Bank. Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir visited the scene, saying the outcome was 'painful' but that the battalion's response had prevented a more severe attack. He confirmed the army is on high alert across all fronts and reinforcing forces in the West Bank amid fears of further escalation. Families of the fallen soldiers spoke of their devastation, with one father telling reporters 'the house has collapsed'. Separately, tensions with Iran sharpened: US envoy Steve Witkoff said a strike on Iran this weekend is 'certainly possible', while US Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack said preparations are underway for a 'prolonged confrontation', though both stressed Washington remains open to a negotiated deal. President Trump suggested the standoff 'could end very quickly' while also threatening that the US could 'take over the country and take all the oil'. In response, Iran reportedly drew up plans to sever undersea internet cables in the Gulf if attacked again by the US or Israel, a move that could disrupt regional networks.

International

At least seven people were killed when three gunmen opened fire during a funeral procession at a Greek Orthodox church in Karak, Jordan. Jordanian authorities described the attackers as belonging to an extremist group, and King Abdullah vowed the 'harshest retaliation' as a manhunt continues. In the UK, a Green Party council leader in Haringey accused critics of 'weaponising antisemitism' after a local synagogue warned residents felt unsafe under his leadership. Separately, an 18-year-old in Britain admitted possessing the manifesto of a synagogue attacker along with far-right extremist material and his own writings suggesting plans for a future attack. France and Britain conducted their first joint nuclear strike simulation, with French Rafales flying a mock mission escorted by RAF Typhoons, reflecting deepening nuclear coordination amid tensions with Russia. A Gaza teacher told reporters she was threatened with having her tongue removed after challenging anti-Jewish content in lessons, amid renewed scrutiny of UNRWA's curriculum.

Politics

Israel's election campaign intensified as the chairman of the Central Elections Committee ordered Likud to remove signs it placed featuring Arabic text and colours associated with the Yisrael party, alongside images of opposition figures next to Mahmoud Abbas and Ahmad Tibi. The committee ruled the signs were designed to mislead voters. Separately, Likud welcomed the withdrawal of Rabbi Chida Avergil and the Achi movement from the race, confirming a deputy minister post would be created to advance shared principles. In a striking development, World Jewish Congress president Ronald Lauder broke his silence to warn that Israel risks losing US and Diaspora support if Netanyahu is re-elected, saying he would back Gadi Eisenkot if forced to choose, and recounting a rupture with the Prime Minister over abandoned secret talks with Syria. Analysts noted that shifting poll numbers continue to confound predictions as voters head toward the ballot box.

Economy

British supermarket chain Tesco has begun stocking Israeli plant-based meat brand Redefine Meat, with its burgers and lamb-style koftas now available in 391 stores, building on the company's existing UK presence through Asda and Ocado. In the domestic travel sector, credit company FlyAll signed a strategic partnership with Israeli carrier Air Haifa, allowing customers to redeem accumulated credit on flights to Greece, Cyprus and Eilat, making FlyAll the only company covering all four Israeli airlines.

Other Developments

A woman was stabbed to death in an apartment in Kiryat Chaim, with police arresting her partner as the chief suspect; the couple's child has been placed under welfare authorities' care. In a separate incident, masked gunmen broke into the home of 82-year-old Ibrahim Bushakra in Shfaram, shooting him 13 times and attempting to kill his son, who escaped. Police suspect the attack was a planned revenge killing linked to the grandson's alleged involvement in a hit squad connected to the Khatib family. Elsewhere, footage emerged of a group of Israeli diners being forcibly removed from a Lebanese restaurant in Beijing after staff overheard them speaking Hebrew.

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