Amid the possibility of renewed escalation with Iran, public threats are coming from Tehran and Sana'a. President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held an overnight phone call described as "lengthy and dramatic."
The Knesset plenum approved, in a preliminary reading, a bill to dissolve the 25th Knesset by an overwhelming margin, with no votes against and no abstentions. The move officially opens the door to a new election campaign, as the bill now heads to Knesset committees for discussion and preparation.
At a meeting in Prague, the Czech Republic laid out a hard line against any European effort to impose sanctions on Israel. Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar sharply criticized European governments that, he said, are pushing an anti-Israel agenda: "They are harming relations with the only democracy in the Middle East in order to win applause from the terror states in our region."
National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir arrived at the Port of Ashdod and filmed himself addressing Gaza flotilla activists in Hebrew: "They came with a lot of pride like big heroes. Look how they look now."
Reserve Major Itamar Sapir, 27, who was killed in combat, is being laid to rest in the military section of the cemetery in Ra'anana. Ariel Mayor Yair Shtabon eulogized him: "The city is hurting and in shock. We will make sure his memory is honored in our city in a meaningful way."
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung sharply criticized Israel over its takeover of Gaza-bound flotilla ships, calling the operation "excessive and illegal." Yesterday, the IDF completed its takeover of dozens of flotilla vessels.
An American report says Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was identified as a candidate to replace Iran’s leadership if the regime fell. But the plan reportedly unraveled on the very first day of the war, after he was injured in a strike.
Francesca Albanese, the UN special rapporteur for the Palestinian territories, published a Facebook post claiming Germany is dealing with its Nazi past through support for Israel: "Germany does not respect all Jews. Look at how Germany treats anti-Zionist Jews and you will understand what is happening."
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich sharply attacked the International Criminal Court in The Hague following reports of a request for an arrest warrant against him. At a press conference, he announced a series of response measures, including the evacuation of Khan al-Ahmar.
The Knesset Constitution Committee approved for its first reading a bill to divide the role of the attorney general, including major changes to the powers of the office. A new clause was also added dealing with the opening of investigations against senior public officials.
Senior officials in Gulf countries told associates they were not aware of the attack plan President Donald Trump described against Iran, and also denied that they had asked him to delay the move.
New reports point to deeper security cooperation between China and Russia around the war in Ukraine. At the same time, Chinese President Xi Jinping reportedly delivered an unusual message to U.S. President Donald Trump regarding Russian President Vladimir Putin’s decision.
U.S. officials are warning that Iran used the ceasefire to accelerate its military recovery, including rebuilding dozens of ballistic missile sites. In Washington, officials believe President Donald Trump’s announcement that he is delaying a possible strike may itself be part of a strategic deception.
In a historic ceremony at the President’s Residence, Somaliland’s first ambassador to Israel formally presented his credentials. President Isaac Herzog also welcomed the new ambassadors of four other countries.
Hundreds of kilometers from Israel’s shores, IDF forces began taking control of the Turkish "Sumud" flotilla headed to Gaza. Before the operation, Israel’s Foreign Ministry warned the vessels: "Change course and turn back." Activists who are detained will be taken to a "floating prison" and from there transferred to Ashdod.
A new Amnesty International report points to a sharp global rise in executions during 2025, with Iran driving the increase. The group warns that the death penalty is increasingly being used as a tool of political repression.
A late-night test by the government defense company "Tomer" sparked panic and a wave of online speculation, but security officials say it was a planned operation. In the wake of the incident, they are now considering a policy of notifying the public in advance.
In Israel, officials are seeing growing signs that the United States may be nearing a decision on military action against Iran, though the timing remains unclear. The IDF is raising its alert level and maintaining especially close coordination with the United States.
As the school year winds down and summer break approaches, Israel’s Teachers Union has declared a labor dispute in the secondary education system, citing a series of harms to both teachers and students. The union is warning that its actions could escalate if negotiations are not renewed immediately.
MK Moshe Arbel announced that he is stepping down from the Knesset after 12 years of public and parliamentary service. He said the decision was made so he can devote more time to his family, to Torah study, and to completing his doctoral studies.
