Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has officially appointed Major General Roman Gofman as the new head of Mossad, the country’s powerful intelligence agency. The Israeli cabinet approved the appointment on Sunday, and Gofman will assume office on June 2 after current director David Barnea completes his five-year term. Notably, Gofman has no prior experience in intelligence work, marking a break from the agency’s long-standing tradition of appointing seasoned intelligence officers.

Born in Belarus in 1976, Gofman immigrated to Israel at age 14 and joined the armored corps in 1995. He has served in various senior military roles and currently works as the military secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office. During the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, he was commander of the infantry training center and was seriously injured in fighting near Sderot. Gofman is known for his alignment with Netanyahu’s nationalist ideology and studied at the Eli Yeshiva in the occupied West Bank.

Mossad, which operates mainly outside Israel, avoided direct blame for the October 7 intelligence failure. Under Gofman’s leadership, observers are watching how the agency will shape its next strategies against Iran and Hezbollah.

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said he felt like the 'owner' of the Al-Aqsa Mosque during a visit to the site in Jerusalem on Sunday. The statement came as he emphasized the need for greater access for Jewish worshippers and vowed to pressure the prime minister for further action. His remarks were made public through a video released by his office, where he added that more progress was needed.

The visit and comments occurred shortly after Israel reopened the mosque to Palestinians following more than 40 days of closure. During that period, Palestinians were barred from entering for Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr, and Friday prayers.

Jordan, which oversees the Al-Aqsa compound, condemned Ben-Gvir’s visit as a violation of the status quo agreement and an unacceptable provocation. The office of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas warned that such actions could further destabilize the situation in the region.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has sharply criticized Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for his comments regarding the ceasefire between the United States and Iran. In a post on social media platform X, Netanyahu said Israel would continue its operations against Tehran and its allied regional groups.

Earlier in the week, following the US-Iran ceasefire, Erdogan had warned US President Donald Trump to avoid any form of provocation, though he did not specify whom the warning targeted. Responding to this, Netanyahu accused Erdogan of supporting groups aligned with Iran and of committing violence against the Kurdish population in Turkey.

The exchange highlights ongoing tensions between Israel and Turkey amid broader regional instability following the US-Iran ceasefire agreement.

Thousands of Israelis demonstrated in Tel Aviv on Saturday against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, surpassing the court-imposed limit of 1,000 participants. Police did not intervene in the protest, which marked the sixth consecutive week of demonstrations. Organizers said around 10,000 people gathered at Habima Square, though local media estimated about 2,000 participants. Protesters voiced opposition to the Iran war, corruption allegations against Netanyahu, judicial reforms, and a proposal exempting ultra-Orthodox students from military service.

The protests occurred under restrictions set by Israeli courts following missile attacks from Iran over the past six weeks. Although a fragile ceasefire allowed a slight increase in attendance, authorities maintained cautionary limits. Demonstrations also took place in Jerusalem’s Paris Square and in Haifa, where police detained three people briefly for crossing security lines.

Smaller rallies were reported across the country, reflecting ongoing public discontent with the government’s policies and handling of national security and judicial issues.

Israeli citizens awoke to news that US President Donald Trump had agreed to a ceasefire with Iran, following earlier threats to destroy Iranian civilization. Iranian media reported that the truce was based on a ten-point proposal including ending hostilities, allowing Tehran to continue uranium enrichment, ensuring security for Iran’s allies, compensating for damages caused by US-Israeli aggression, and collecting transit fees from ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz.

If a permanent peace agreement emerges from these terms, it could severely damage Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s political career. A report in The New York Times stated that Netanyahu had largely acted alone in pushing Trump toward aggression against Iran. Acceptance of Iran’s conditions would strengthen Tehran, contradicting Netanyahu’s earlier war objectives and undermining his regional strategy.

The developments threaten Israel’s regional standing and the Abraham Accords initiative to normalize ties with Arab states. With Iran potentially controlling the Strait of Hormuz, Gulf nations could become dependent on Tehran for energy exports, weakening US influence in the region.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has threatened to continue waging war against Iran and its allies. In a post on social media platform X, he declared that under his leadership, Israel would persist in fighting what he called Iran’s terrorist regime and its partners. Netanyahu also criticized Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, accusing him of cooperating with Iran and being responsible for genocide against the Kurds.

The statement, reported by Al Jazeera, reflects ongoing tensions between Israel and Iran, as well as strained relations between Israel and Turkey. Netanyahu’s remarks come amid a broader regional climate of confrontation and mutual accusations among Middle Eastern powers.

The comments suggest that Israel’s leadership intends to maintain a hardline stance toward Iran and its regional allies, potentially deepening existing geopolitical rifts in the region.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is under growing pressure over Israel’s ongoing offensive in Lebanon, according to multiple reports. The Israeli newspaper Haaretz said U.S. President Donald Trump has urged Netanyahu to halt attacks on Beirut and engage in dialogue with the Lebanese government. Meanwhile, Lebanon’s leadership, feeling cornered, agreed to speak directly with an Israeli representative despite the continuing assault, seeking to avoid Iranian mediation in ceasefire talks.

Initial meetings between the two sides are unlikely to yield major progress, as their positions remain far apart, particularly regarding whether to continue discussions amid active hostilities. The situation reflects deep divisions and limited trust between the parties.

Domestically, Netanyahu is also facing political strain. Recent opinion polls indicate a decline in his popularity, with former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett’s right-wing bloc projected to win more seats than Netanyahu’s Likud party in upcoming elections, according to Al Jazeera.

Israel has expressed interest in beginning formal peace talks with Lebanese representatives in Washington next week but has made it clear that Hezbollah will not be included in the discussions. The announcement was made on Friday by Michael Letter, Israel’s ambassador to the United States, who stated that Hezbollah continues to attack Israel and remains the biggest obstacle to peace between the two countries.

According to the report, a telephone conversation took place involving the U.S. ambassador in Beirut and the Israeli and Lebanese ambassadors in Washington. Lebanon’s presidential office said in a statement that under U.S. mediation, discussions scheduled for Tuesday will address ongoing tensions between Israel and Lebanon and explore the possibility of a ceasefire.

The talks come amid heightened regional tensions, with the United States playing a mediating role to prevent further escalation between the two neighboring states.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expelled Spain from a civil-military coordination center established to implement the Gaza ceasefire. The center, located in Kiryat Gat, was formed as part of U.S. President Donald Trump’s 20-point peace plan. Netanyahu announced the decision on April 10, 2026, citing Spain’s repeated criticism of Israel’s military actions in Gaza, the occupied West Bank, and Lebanon.

In a statement, Netanyahu accused Spain of spreading falsehoods about the Israeli army, which he described as the world’s most moral force. He said Israel would not remain silent against countries that attack it diplomatically and warned that such hostility would have consequences. The move follows Spain’s strong condemnation of Israel’s policies and military operations in the region.

Observers view this expulsion as a sign of escalating diplomatic strain between Israel and Spain, potentially affecting broader international relations surrounding the Gaza ceasefire process.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Friday that Spain has been removed from the Civil-Military Coordination Centre (CMCC) in Kiryat Gat, which oversees the Gaza ceasefire. In a video statement posted on X, Netanyahu accused Spain of waging a diplomatic war against Israel and defaming Israeli soldiers. He said Israel would not remain silent against those who attack it. Foreign Minister Gideon Saar echoed the criticism, accusing Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez of spreading false accusations and claiming Spain could no longer play a constructive role in implementing the U.S. peace plan.

Relations between Israel and Spain have sharply deteriorated since Israel launched its war on Gaza in October 2023. Spain’s recognition of the state of Palestine and its condemnation of Israel’s treatment of Palestinians further strained ties. The Spanish government also opposed the U.S.-Israel war on Iran that began on February 28, closing its airspace to U.S. aircraft involved in the conflict.

The CMCC, established by the United States as part of Donald Trump’s 20-point plan to end the Gaza war, coordinates ceasefire monitoring and humanitarian aid. Despite the ceasefire, Israeli attacks on Gaza and restrictions on aid deliveries continue.

US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee revealed that he spent six consecutive weeks inside a command center during the recent conflict involving Iran and Israel. Following the ceasefire, Huckabee shared his experience through a social media post, describing how he lived in a single room with his two dogs, slept on a camp bed, cooked using a microwave and hot plate, and had very limited movement. He expressed relief at returning to his residence after the ceasefire.

Huckabee, known as a staunch supporter of Israel, has previously identified himself as a Christian Zionist. Earlier this year, in a February interview, he stirred controversy by saying that, according to his interpretation of the Bible, he would not object if Israel occupied most of the Middle East. His remarks drew widespread criticism from the international community.

The ambassador’s account highlights the intensity of the recent conflict and the personal challenges faced by diplomats stationed in high-risk regions.

Israel has reported that 24 people were killed and more than 7,000 injured following a series of missile attacks launched by Iran during ongoing hostilities. According to the Times of Israel, Iran fired around 650 ballistic missiles toward Israel, many carrying cluster bomb warheads that caused widespread damage across populated areas.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that more than half of the missiles contained cluster bomb warheads, dispersing numerous small explosives over wide regions. Among the dead were 20 civilians and foreign nationals inside Israel, as well as four Palestinians in the West Bank. The Israeli Health Ministry confirmed the casualty figures.

The report detailed that Iran launched about 80 missiles on the first day of the conflict, 60 on the second, and 30 on the third, continuing with 10 to 20 missiles daily in subsequent weeks. At least 16 warhead-equipped missiles struck populated areas, causing significant destruction.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has instructed officials to begin direct talks with Lebanon as soon as possible. Despite agreeing to the idea of direct negotiations, Netanyahu made it clear that there will be no ceasefire in Lebanon and that military operations against Hezbollah will continue. The directive marks the first time Netanyahu has accepted Lebanon’s request for direct discussions.

The report notes that the pace of Israeli military operations in Lebanon has slowed in recent hours, with no major attacks reported in Beirut since Wednesday. This development follows a ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran, after which Israel continued its strikes in Lebanon. The situation reflects a complex regional dynamic involving multiple actors and ongoing hostilities.

It remains uncertain whether the proposed talks will lead to a reduction in hostilities or a broader diplomatic breakthrough, as Israel maintains its military stance while expressing readiness for dialogue.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Thursday that his government is ready to begin direct negotiations with Lebanon, following Israeli airstrikes that killed more than 300 people across Lebanon a day earlier. Netanyahu said the talks would focus on disarming Hezbollah and establishing peaceful relations between the two countries. The announcement came amid escalating violence that has endangered a fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said he was pursuing a diplomatic track viewed positively by international actors, while Lebanon’s cabinet ordered security forces to restrict weapons in Beirut to state institutions. Hezbollah lawmaker Ali Fayyad rejected direct talks with Israel, insisting that a ceasefire and Israeli troop withdrawal must precede any negotiations. Lebanon’s Health Ministry reported at least 303 deaths and over 1,000 injuries from Israeli strikes, prompting a national day of mourning.

The ongoing conflict, which began on March 2, has displaced more than 1.2 million people, according to the United Nations. Iran has accused Israel of violating the ceasefire, while the US maintains Lebanon is not covered by the truce. Delegations from the US and Iran are expected to meet in Islamabad on Saturday to discuss ending the war.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered the initiation of direct talks with Lebanon. He stated that Lebanon had requested to sit for direct discussions, prompting him to instruct that the process begin as soon as possible.

The directive comes despite continued Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon following a ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran. According to the report, Israeli attacks on Beirut and other areas have resulted in 203 deaths and at least 1,000 injuries as of Wednesday. The situation remains tense as regional actors respond to the escalating violence.

The report cites Al Jazeera as the source of information, indicating that the developments are unfolding rapidly amid heightened regional tensions.