Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has declared that efforts to overthrow Iran’s government will continue. In a post on social media platform X, he described the joint campaign to weaken Iran as successful and said those gains must not be wasted. Smotrich called for Israel to pursue the mission creatively and ensure that Iran never acquires nuclear weapons.

Despite pressure from the United States to halt attacks, Smotrich pledged to keep targeting Hezbollah in Lebanon. He said the operations were necessary to guarantee the immediate security of Israeli fighters and residents in the country’s north. His remarks came as Israel carried out new strikes in southern Lebanon, even after the United States and Iran reached an agreement that Tehran said included a commitment to stop such attacks.

The statements highlight ongoing tensions between Israel, Iran, and the United States, as well as divisions over the recent US-Iran deal, which Smotrich labeled harmful to Israel and the free world.

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir stated that the agreement between the United States and Iran is not binding on Israel. In a post on social media platform X, he emphasized that Israel is an independent and sovereign nation, not subordinate to the United States. Ben-Gvir asserted that Israel would not be part of any deal that fails to ensure its security.

He further argued that Israel should not agree to anything less than the complete disarmament and dismantling of Hezbollah. He insisted that Israeli forces should not withdraw from areas they have captured and cleared of what he described as terrorist infrastructure. Ben-Gvir warned against returning to a situation where thousands of armed fighters are stationed near northern Israeli settlements and said Israel would not remain silent in the face of any attacks.

His remarks highlight internal political divisions within Israel regarding the US-Iran understanding and a potential ceasefire along the Lebanon border, according to the report.

Israeli journalist and Haaretz columnist Gideon Levy has described the current situation among the United States, Israel, and Iran as extremely explosive. In an interview with Al Jazeera, he stated that Israel has ultimately lost in this geopolitical game. Levy noted that many figures around Donald Trump, including within the Republican Party, the White House, and the U.S. State Department, hold more critical views of Israel than Trump himself.

Levy warned that if Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu damages relations with Trump, Israel could face an unprecedented challenge. He added that the consequences of such a rift would become clear very soon. According to Levy, both the United States and Trump personally now regard Israel as an obstacle and will treat it accordingly.

The remarks come amid heightened tensions following a U.S.-Iran agreement signed in Geneva, which has reportedly left Netanyahu politically cornered.

Israeli opposition figure Yair Golan, leader of the center-left Democrats party, has sharply criticized a new agreement between the United States and Iran, claiming it has nullified all of Israel’s military achievements. In a social media post, Golan said that with a single signature, the bravery of Israeli pilots and the sacrifices of soldiers had been erased. He accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of being weak, isolated, and powerless during the process.

Golan described the deal as the culmination of years of failure and argued that Netanyahu’s tenure is ending with Israel’s enemies growing stronger while the country itself becomes weaker. He warned that Israel’s defense systems, built through the blood of its fighters, are now deteriorating before the nation’s eyes. The comments reflect deep political divisions in Israel over the implications of the US-Iran agreement.

The report, citing Al Jazeera, underscores growing domestic criticism of Netanyahu’s leadership amid shifting regional dynamics following the new US-Iran accord.

Israeli political analyst Gideon Levy described the recent Iran–United States agreement as both a national and personal defeat for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Speaking to Al Jazeera, Levy said Netanyahu’s long-standing political goal was to counter Iran, but Israel has now been completely excluded from the current negotiations. He argued that Israel’s only remaining option appears to be limited to acts of sabotage, referencing a recent Israeli strike in Beirut that he dismissed as childish and ineffective.

Levy further questioned how effective U.S. President Donald Trump’s promises to restrain Israel would be, suggesting that Netanyahu could still undermine any ceasefire if Israel’s core priorities remain unmet. He emphasized that the situation is fragile, particularly because Iran has linked the new agreement to developments in Lebanon.

According to Levy, the continued presence of Israeli troops in Lebanon poses a major obstacle to a full ceasefire, as resistance will persist as long as the occupation continues.

A 47-year-old Palestinian prisoner, Imad Rajeh Sarhan, has died in an Israeli prison, according to his family. Israeli authorities informed the family that Sarhan died of a heart attack while in custody. He had been imprisoned in Gilboa Prison since 2001 and was serving a life sentence. Sarhan was a resident of Haifa.

The Palestinian Prisoners’ Affairs Commission and the Palestinian Prisoners Club stated that Sarhan had been subjected to prolonged interrogation and systematic torture early in his detention, leading to serious and chronic health problems. They also alleged that he was repeatedly held in solitary confinement for extended periods. Over the years, Sarhan reportedly suffered from heart disease, arterial complications, and high blood pressure, requiring the use of a wheelchair in recent years.

The two organizations described Sarhan’s death as a result of medical negligence and systematic abuse in Israeli prisons, claiming such practices have intensified since the onset of the ongoing violence in Gaza. Israeli authorities have not yet issued a response to these allegations.

A new political dispute has erupted in Israel following reports of a ceasefire in Lebanon. Members of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s own governing coalition, along with opposition parties, are strongly opposing the decision to halt attacks in areas such as Beirut’s southern suburb of Dahiya. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich have publicly called for continued military action in Lebanon.

Analysts cited in the report suggest that the growing distance between Netanyahu and other politicians is driven by the upcoming general election. Netanyahu had promised the Israeli public certain strategic goals that remain unfulfilled, and his rivals are portraying the ceasefire as a “strategic failure.” Even coalition partners are now claiming that Netanyahu has become politically weak and less accepted by the U.S. administration. All sides are reportedly seeking to exploit this situation ahead of the October election.

Some political analysts believe Netanyahu might resort to his old tactics, possibly delaying the election by escalating military actions or creating new tensions to regain political leverage.

Israel’s security cabinet is set to convene an emergency meeting tonight, local time, to discuss developments related to Iran. According to Al Jazeera, the meeting will focus on the potential implications of a possible peace agreement or memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran.

Military analysts cited in the report suggest that such an agreement could pressure Israel to make concessions regarding its operations in Lebanon. Despite these concerns, Israel reportedly maintains a stance of keeping the Iranian and Lebanese fronts separate. The Israeli military has intensified its operations, striking 70 targets in Lebanon overnight, bringing the total to 400 attacks in the past week.

The escalating conflict has become a central issue ahead of Israel’s upcoming elections, with opposition leader Yair Lapid criticizing the government. Meanwhile, residents in northern Israel have expressed anger over what they see as the government’s failure to ensure their safety, saying they had to seek shelter 16 times in one night.

Israeli officials have stated that the issue of withdrawing troops from southern Lebanon is not currently on the negotiation table, according to a report by Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth. Israeli attacks in Lebanon are continuing, and officials indicated that any future withdrawal would only be considered under specific conditions following an agreement with Beirut.

The statement comes amid uncertainty surrounding a proposed memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran. The memorandum, expected to be signed virtually on Sunday, reportedly includes discussions related to Iran’s nuclear program, though disagreements remain over its content and timing.

The ongoing military operations and diplomatic uncertainty highlight the complex regional dynamics involving Israel, Lebanon, Iran, and the United States, with no immediate indication of de-escalation.

Israeli political circles are increasingly concerned about a possible memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran, according to the Israeli newspaper Haaretz. The report, citing Middle East Eye, said Israeli officials fear that such an agreement could reduce Washington’s ability to exert pressure on Tehran. One major concern is that the deal might make it harder to enforce demands for Iran to remove or significantly reduce its stockpile of enriched uranium.

An Israeli source told Haaretz that Israel had limited influence during the negotiation and decision-making process, suggesting that Tel Aviv’s role in shaping the final terms was smaller than expected. The source added that it remains unclear how far the potential agreement would align with Israel’s broader strategic goals, particularly regarding restrictions on Iran’s ballistic missile program and its ties with Hezbollah.

The report concluded that despite the growing likelihood of a US-Iran understanding, Israel’s concerns over its security and regional strategic interests have not been fully alleviated.

Turkey and Saudi Arabia are advancing a land trade corridor connecting the Gulf region to Europe through Syria and Jordan, according to a report by the Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth. The report states that Israel is concerned about this project because it would bypass Israeli territory and compete with the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC).

The proposed route would allow goods to move between Asia and Europe via Syria and Jordan before reaching Turkey, reducing reliance on Israeli infrastructure such as the port of Haifa. Israeli officials reportedly view this initiative as a potential challenge to IMEC, which is supported by Israel and its international partners to link Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.

The development highlights growing regional competition over trade connectivity projects that aim to reshape transport and economic routes between Asia and Europe.

The United States is constructing a military base near the Gaza Strip, according to a report by Israel Hayom. The facility is being built close to the Reim military base in southern Israel and near the fence surrounding Gaza. The report states that the new base will function as both a military and civilian headquarters for international organizations and personnel operating in the area.

The report further mentions that the base could be used to support the implementation of a plan by U.S. President Trump. However, no immediate comments were available from American or Israeli officials regarding the construction project, as reported by Middle East Eye.

The lack of official statements leaves uncertainty about the timeline, purpose, and scope of the U.S. base near Gaza, though its proximity to the conflict zone suggests potential strategic significance.

Thousands of people took to the streets across Israel on Thursday night to protest against mandatory military service and the arrest of individuals refusing to join the army. Demonstrators blocked highways and railways in central Israel, leading to disruptions in transportation. Two people were reported injured during the protests, which were organized by a group called the Jerusalem Faction.

The protests followed the police handover of 19 detainees to the Israel Defense Forces on Wednesday. These individuals had been arrested the previous week for refusing military service. Similar demonstrations were also held outside detention centers in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv on Wednesday night.

Participants were brought from Jerusalem, Beit Shemesh, and other Haredi-populated areas. Police had earlier advised the public to avoid using private vehicles in the central region due to expected unrest. Train services in Tel Aviv were temporarily halted after protesters occupied railway tracks, but highways were later reopened as Jerusalem Faction leaders instructed demonstrators to disperse.

Israel is setting up a permanent military base in the city of Jenin in the occupied West Bank, according to a report by Israeli newspaper Haaretz. This will be the first such installation in an area that has been under full civilian and security control of the Palestinian Authority since the 1993 Oslo Accords.

The report states that the Israeli army says the new base aims to create conditions for safely evacuating residents from homes in the Jenin refugee camp. The base will be built near the camp, where repeated Israeli operations since early 2025 have displaced thousands of residents and caused extensive infrastructure damage.

According to the report, the base may also be used to support Israeli military operations and protect nearby Israeli settlements.

Israeli authorities have deported French journalist Alice Froussard, known for her critical reporting on Israel’s war on Gaza and its policies in the occupied West Bank. The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed on Thursday that France was supporting Froussard but acknowledged Israel’s legal right to deport her. No official reason was provided for the deportation, though Israeli Minister for Diaspora Affairs Amichai Chikli later accused her of supporting Hamas and celebrated her departure from Ben Gurion Airport to Paris.

The Foreign Press Association condemned the deportation, noting that Israel had previously authorised Froussard’s travel. The incident has drawn renewed attention to Israel’s restrictions on international media coverage of its military actions in Gaza and Lebanon. Reporters from abroad have been barred from entering Gaza since the conflict began after the Hamas-led attacks on October 7, 2023, while many local journalists have been killed during the fighting.

Israel has faced repeated criticism for limiting press access and allegedly targeting journalists. The ongoing ban on foreign reporters has left Palestinian journalists to document the conflict and its humanitarian toll largely on their own.