A proposed law banning representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross from entering prisons where terror inmates are held was voted down in the Knesset. Thirty-six lawmakers supported it, while 41 opposed it, taking the bill off the agenda for the next six months.
The U.S. reportedly drafted a demands document and asked Israel to commit to it in order to move forward with a governing alternative to Hamas — even without the group being disarmed. A senior American representative also reportedly met with top Hamas officials.
Nabih Berri, speaker of Lebanon’s parliament and a representative of the Amal movement, a Hezbollah ally, spoke out against the agreement between the Lebanese government and Israel. The head of U.S. Central Command is expected to arrive in Lebanon to monitor the deployment of the Lebanese army in areas vacated by the IDF.
IDF forces reported gunfire directed at a post in Syria’s security zone and responded with strikes in the Tel Kudna area. Syrian reports said the Israeli military used mortars, artillery fire, and an attack helicopter.
Israel’s Transportation Ministry, through Cross Israel and in partnership with the express lane operator and tech companies, is launching a pilot this week at the Shapirim express lane complex. The smart system will test and verify how many passengers are in a vehicle, with the goal of improving enforcement.
Much of Europe recorded an average temperature of 41°C yesterday. About 300 deaths have been reported across the continent. A lightning storm slammed France, and lightning also caused minor damage to the Eiffel Tower.
Capt. David Hazut, 21, of Ashkelon, a platoon commander in Golani Brigade’s 12th Battalion, was killed in combat with a terrorist in southern Lebanon. Another soldier was lightly wounded in the incident. The terrorist managed to flee the scene.
In a unanimous vote, Israeli ministers approved Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar’s proposal to recognize the genocide carried out by the Ottoman Empire against more than a million Armenians. In the past, Israel avoided doing so out of concern for harming relations with Turkey and Azerbaijan.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a press conference Saturday night, addressing the upcoming elections and the framework agreement with Lebanon. He stressed that the IDF will continue to hold a security zone in southern Lebanon and, speaking about the elections ahead, said: "I am not boycotting anyone."
Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem said his organization opposes the agreement between Israel and Lebanon. Hezbollah threatened to continue “the resistance,” and the Houthis called to “bring down the puppet government in Lebanon.” Defense Minister ישראל Katz said: “There is no IDF withdrawal whatsoever.”
A tanker passing through the Strait of Hormuz was attacked by Iranian drones. The U.S. struck missile and drone storage sites inside Iran. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said, "We will respond forcefully." Bahrain also reported that Iran carried out an attack on its territory.
The U.S. struck military targets in Iran overnight after attacks on ships near the Strait of Hormuz and American sites in Bahrain. It was the second U.S. strike in less than 24 hours, and President Donald Trump delivered a stark warning to Tehran. Iran said: “This is a blatant violation of the memorandum of understanding between the sides.”
Just before *Shabbat*, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that understandings had been reached with the Lebanese government and that a framework agreement had been signed between the two countries. The IDF will gradually transfer responsibility in certain areas to the Lebanese army, while Israel will retain freedom of action until Hezbollah is disarmed.
The IDF and Shin Bet said they killed Walid Haniyeh in Gaza, identifying him as a deputy commander in Hamas’s *Nukhba* force and the nephew of Ismail Haniyeh, who was killed in Iran. According to the IDF, Walid led a terrorist squad’s raid into اسرائیل on October 7, 2023.
Rescue teams in Venezuela are still searching for survivors beneath the rubble of hundreds of buildings damaged in the earthquake. Seventeen countries have sent about 1,600 firefighters and medical personnel. Local authorities estimate that roughly 25,000 people are still missing.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance revealed a plan to establish a joint military framework involving the U.S. military and Iran’s Revolutionary Guards. The body would be based in Qatar and focus on finding solutions to disputes. In Israel, the proposal has raised concern.
Anwar Gargash, an adviser to UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, spoke out against Iranian demands tied to the memorandum of understanding with the U.S. He said, “Imposing a fait accompli born of aggression will not create stability.”
An Iranian opposition activist who runs an account called "Cyaxares" claims Iran’s current supreme leader was killed in an Israeli strike during the first days of Operation "Roaring Lion." According to him, Iranian authorities are continuing to "keep him alive" in order to "hold the ranks together."
So far, 164 people have been reported dead and about 1,000 injured after two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela. Dozens of teams from several countries are making their way to the South American nation to help search for people trapped beneath the rubble.
An IDF helicopter carrying Israeli President Isaac Herzog made an emergency landing today at an Israeli Air Force base in central Israel. No one was injured, and the aircraft was not damaged. The president and flight crew continued on their way in another aircraft.
