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MK Dan Illouz announced he will not run for reelection with Likud, citing the party's evasion of responsibility for the October 7 massacre, legislation supporting haredi draft evaders, and the rising cost of living. His departure follows that of MK Yuli Edelstein, who left Likud earlier in July.
Shin Bet chief David Zini has reportedly approved Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's request to grant his wife Sara lifelong security protection, with the couple's sons Yair and Avner to receive protection for at least five years. The decision follows assessments of a 'lifetime threat level' and has drawn criticism from former Shin Bet official Yaron Blum.
Israeli military officials briefed the Security Cabinet that the IDF controls between 67% and 70% of the Gaza Strip, according to Israeli sources, while Defense Minister Israel Katz said Israel holds more than 60% and aims to reach 70%. The expansion follows Hamas's refusal to disarm under a US-backed plan, and Israel says it will not withdraw from security zones despite reported US pressure.
The IDF is accelerating efforts to destroy Hezbollah infrastructure in southern Lebanon ahead of anticipated US pressure for a wider withdrawal. Reports detail the defeat of Hezbollah in Bint Jbail and raise concerns about the Lebanese Armed Forces' ability to secure the area.
Reports from The New York Times and Haaretz allege Israel attempted to recruit former Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as an intelligence asset, with plans to install him as a leader after regime change. Ahmadinejad's office has denied the claims, and the reports remain unconfirmed while sparking political debate.
On July 12, 2026, France observed its first national day of commemoration for Alfred Dreyfus, 120 years after his exoneration. President Emmanuel Macron unveiled a statue of Dreyfus in Paris, warning that 'the old demons of antisemitism' persist. The ceremony coincided with rising antisemitic acts following the 2023 Hamas attacks and a security scare near a synagogue.
Israel's High Court of Justice has canceled Yehuda Eliyahu's appointment as head of the Israel Land Authority, citing his close ties to Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and a flawed selection process. The court accepted a framework proposed by three justices to reconstitute the search committee and reinterview candidates.
Tehran's ultraconservative Hamshahri newspaper has published images of 13 international politicians, including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, labeled as 'wanted' in connection with the death of former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. The article, which appeared online and was later removed, has prompted German officials to warn of potential Iranian attacks in Europe.
The interim US-Iran ceasefire has collapsed, leading to renewed airstrikes, Iranian retaliation, and threats to close strategic straits. President Trump has escalated rhetoric, proposing and quickly abandoning a toll plan for the Strait of Hormuz, while global oil prices rise. The conflict has renewed discussions in Washington about regime change, with diplomatic efforts failing to secure concessions.
US Senator Lindsey Graham passed away on Saturday evening after a brief and sudden illness. New details have emerged about his final phone call, in which he reported chest pains to a staffer, and his last days were marked by intense work on geopolitical projects, including Israeli-Saudi normalization. Tributes from colleagues and world leaders underscore his impact.
Senior House Democrats, including minority leader Hakeem Jeffries, have announced they will oppose an amendment that would halt $3.3 billion in US military aid to Israel, amid growing primary challenges over Israel policy. Jeffries called the measure overly broad, while a separate House resolution on the war in Lebanon exposed divisions among Democrats.
Multiple reports say US President Donald Trump told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a phone call to redeploy Israeli forces out of Syria and Lebanon, warning that their presence could lead to escalation. Netanyahu reportedly plans to resist the demand, according to Israeli media.
US President Donald Trump has abandoned his proposal to charge a 20% fee on cargo shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, saying he will instead pursue trade and investment agreements with Gulf states. The reversal came hours before the US naval blockade of Iranian ports was set to take effect, as US and Iranian forces continued to trade strikes across the region.
IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir faces calls for dismissal from coalition MKs after warning against proposed legislation freezing arrests of haredi draft dodgers, while former PM Naftali Bennett defends him. The controversy highlights tensions between military leadership and government over recruitment policies.
The Israeli government is set to approve a plan diverting some NIS 568 million from a five-year plan for Arab society development to fund Shin Bet and police operations against organized crime. The move has drawn criticism from the Mossawa Center, which warns it shifts priorities from economic development to enforcement.
The Trump administration has announced a sweeping campaign against the International Criminal Court, accusing it of posing an 'intolerable threat to US sovereignty.' The EU has pushed back, defending the court's role in prosecuting war crimes and genocide.
The United States launched new airstrikes on Iran, prompting retaliation against Gulf Arab states and tankers. As tensions escalate over the Strait of Hormuz, President Trump has warned of further strikes, while oil prices have risen.
US Representative Ro Khanna said he was detained by settlers in the West Bank, with both his account and the IDF's version revealing discrepancies. New details show the area was not a closed military zone and that Khanna had not coordinated his travel with the IDF.
Israel's Knesset passed a contentious bill enshrining Torah study as a fundamental value in the country's Basic Law, with 63 lawmakers in favor and 52 against. Critics, including opposition leaders and the Israel Democracy Institute, warn the law encourages draft evasion and harms the IDF amid a manpower shortage. Opposition leader Yair Lapid pledged to repair Israel and establish a state commission of inquiry into the October 7 attacks.
Israel is pushing to accelerate negotiations with the Trump administration on a new bilateral defense framework to replace the current Memorandum of Understanding, which expires in 2028. The talks aim to transition from 'aid' to 'partnership', with a proposed 10-year wind-down of US military aid. Time is tight as the current US Congress ends in January.