Israel’s election commission chairman, Supreme Court Justice Noam Sohlberg, said that confirmation of suspected foreign interference in the country’s parliamentary election would not invalidate the overall result. He also said the allegations would not undermine the integrity of the electoral process.
The Shin Bet domestic intelligence service is investigating the claims at the request of the election commission. Qatar’s Foreign Ministry rejected allegations that the Gulf state had financed groups seeking to increase turnout among Arab voters.
Separately, Iran reported that the United States had attacked two fishing boats near Qeshm Island, injuring one fisherman. The report was carried by state broadcaster IRIB, citing an official from Hormozgan province. There was no immediate confirmation from the United States.
Iran’s supreme leader instructed the country’s armed forces to respond immediately to any threat from its enemies, without “geographical limits,” according to the report.
The mayor of Hebron, Yousef al-Jabari, warned of the consequences of an Israeli military operation in the West Bank city. He told Al Jazeera that Hebron had been sealed off, with residents unable to enter or leave, and that Israeli military vehicles were present throughout the streets.
According to al-Jabari, more than 3,300 Palestinians had been displaced from two neighborhoods where homes were being demolished. He estimated daily losses to the Palestinian economy at about $4 million because businesses could neither obtain raw materials nor deliver goods. More than 80,000 people were also reportedly unable to reach educational institutions, while hospitals could no longer treat patients from surrounding areas.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty warned that a further escalation in the conflict between the United States and Iran would have severe and far-reaching consequences. Speaking at the IISS Manama Dialogue security conference in Bahrain, he said continued fighting would be even more destructive and urged countries to learn from the past.
Pakistan’s military, meanwhile, expressed cautious optimism about recent diplomatic efforts. A military spokesperson said the country’s chief negotiator, Asim Munir, would not have traveled to Tehran twice in October without positive signals. The spokesperson said talks with Iran’s leadership were encouraging, while warning that influential forces continued to oppose a settlement.
The Saudi-led military coalition said it had intercepted and destroyed a Houthi drone launched from Yemen over Saudi Arabia’s Medina region. Yemen’s government forces also accused the Houthis of attacking Aden airport and the Maashiq presidential palace with ballistic missiles. Initial reports did not provide information on casualties or damage.
The United States ordered non-essential government employees and their families to leave Saudi Arabia, citing security risks linked to Houthi attacks on civilian airports and other critical infrastructure. The US Embassy in Riyadh also warned American citizens of possible further attacks, airspace closures, flight cancellations and other travel disruptions.
Sources: Handelsblatt.