Today's briefing is dominated by escalating concern over nationalist violence in the West Bank, with the IDF accelerating outpost evacuations amid criticism from economists and European diplomats. Elsewhere, Netanyahu issued a stark warning about Iran's missile ambitions, a political row erupted between senior Likud figures, and a serious ethics breach was reported at a major Israeli hospital.

Security

The olive harvest season has again exposed the difficulty faced by the IDF and police in curbing nationalist violence in the West Bank, with clashes reported almost daily. Officials cite a lack of clear authority and manpower shortages, though the State Comptroller flagged the same jurisdictional gaps as far back as 2018. A senior security official confirmed the IDF has stepped up enforcement, evacuating between seven and ten illegal outposts per week in recent weeks, with plans to increase the pace further. The official criticised court rulings for failing to create deterrence and warned of violence by Jewish extremists against Palestinians during the harvest, describing some perpetrators as "Jewish terrorists". The European Union formally condemned attacks by violent settlers on Palestinians, after a group of European diplomats reported being attacked by Jewish settler extremists at the weekend. Separately, 61 senior Israeli economists warned that unchecked settlement expansion and settler violence carry a severe long-term economic cost for the country.

Politics

A public dispute has broken out between Likud minister Yoav Kish and Yisrael Beytenu's Naftali Bennett, after Kish's lawyers sent Bennett a legal warning over remarks made in an interview linking Kish and MK Miri Regev to alleged corruption. Kish is demanding a public apology and a 30,000 shekel donation to a charity of his choosing, threatening legal action if Bennett refuses. With Israel's 2026 elections approaching, 38 parties are competing for the Knesset's 120 seats, though only around 11 are expected to clear the electoral threshold, setting the stage for complex coalition negotiations.

International

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Fox News that Iran is developing intercontinental ballistic missiles and nuclear weapons capable of reaching the United States, warning that "you are the real target". He said that, if re-elected, his priorities would include neutralising the Iranian threat, expanding the Abraham Accords, and securing Israel's position in AI development. Analysts also examined how Israeli support could bolster Saudi Arabia's defences against Houthi attacks, potentially deepening regional security cooperation against Iranian-backed threats. In London, a British teenager and promising footballer was jailed for agreeing to carry out a contract killing for an Iran-backed criminal network in exchange for €25,000. Meanwhile, renewed diplomatic contacts between Lebanon and Israel have stirred hope among the handful of remaining Lebanese Jews, who recall a once-vibrant community now reduced to around 20 people.

Health

Kaplan Medical Centre has filed a police complaint after discovering that blood samples were allegedly taken from patients in its cardiology department without informed consent, as part of a research study. The hospital said it took immediate action following preliminary findings, notified the Health Ministry, and stressed that patient care in the department continues as normal while the investigation proceeds.

Other Developments

A 43-year-old Israeli man died in a motorcycle accident in Thailand's southern Krabi province. The circumstances of the crash are still being investigated, and the Foreign Ministry is looking into the report. ZAKA is coordinating with local authorities to repatriate the body for burial in Israel.

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