🗳️ RIGHT-WING ELECTORAL MANEUVERING DEEPENS: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu invited Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich to Sunday meetings, warning that the right-wing bloc “must not waste a single vote.” Otzma Yehudit rejected another joint run with Religious Zionism, calling its decision final and instead urging efforts to consolidate smaller parties or incorporate Smotrich through reserved Likud list positions.
Smotrich and Moshe Feiglin are separately reported to be in advanced talks over a technical bloc between Religious Zionism and Zehut. Feiglin is expected to receive the No. 2 position and additional places at Nos. 8 and 10, although no agreement has been finalized. The reported objective is to strengthen the slate’s chances of clearing the electoral threshold after Ofer Winter’s entry weakened Religious Zionism in recent polling. Netanyahu is reportedly aware of the initiative and supports it in principle, while Smotrich and Feiglin confirmed alliance discussions without providing details.
Likud responded to Ben-Gvir’s refusal with an unusually sharp statement accusing him of risking right-wing votes and potentially enabling a government led by opposition and Arab parties. Amit Segal assessed the exchange differently: “This doesn’t look like a campaign for unity to me, but rather a campaign to vote Likud instead of Ben Gvir.” He also noted the reversal from 2022, when Netanyahu avoided being photographed with Ben-Gvir, to 2026, when Ben-Gvir is refusing to meet Netanyahu.
⚠️ IRANIAN OFFICIAL ISSUES DIRECT THREAT AS GAMLיאל BACKS PAHLAVI: Science and Technology Minister Gila Gamliel predicted that Reza Pahlavi would return to Iran “very soon” and receive royal honors.
Iranian Supreme National Security Council Secretary Mohsen Rezai rejected reports of an Iranian plot involving President Trump’s son Barron, accusing Netanyahu of fabricating claims to frighten the U.S. president. Rezai said that if Iran decided to act, “nothing will prevent us from carrying it out,” and separately declared: “Iran will send Netanyahu to hell”.
🎯 JENIN CELL LEADER TARGETED IN RARE AIRSTRIKE: The IDF carried out a precise airstrike against several terrorists in the Jenin area, killing at least one person. A security source said the principal target was the leader of a Palestinian terror cell who had been attempting to advance attacks; two additional operatives were reportedly inside the vehicle with him.
Israeli airstrikes in Judea and Samaria have become uncommon. Between October 7, 2023, and early 2025, the IDF carried out more than 100 such strikes, primarily with drones and helicopters, including five using fighter jets. The IDF said additional details on the Jenin operation would follow.
🏙️ GAZA STRIKE REPORTS REMAIN PARTLY DISPUTED: Gazan media reported one person killed in an Israeli strike in Gaza City’s Sabra neighborhood, with the IDF saying it was examining the report.
Separately, Palestinian media reported three deaths in an Israeli strike near Khan Younis earlier in the day. The IDF denied conducting any strikes in that area that morning.
🎗️ ELKANA BOHBOT WELCOMES A DAUGHTER: Less than a year after returning from captivity, Elkana Bohbot welcomed a daughter.
🙏 TENS OF THOUSANDS GATHER FOR SELICHOT: Tens of thousands attended Selichot prayers at the Western Wall on Thursday night.
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