Israeli government

A new report says that ten days before the October 7 Hamas attack, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered officials to act to contain and minimize escalation in Gaza. The disclosure has renewed scrutiny of the government's security posture in the weeks leading up to the assault, and of what warnings reached the leadership before the deadliest attack in Israel's history.

Actresses Hannah Einbinder and Susan Sarandon were reportedly detained during a demonstration outside the United Nations protesting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Both are longtime critics of the Israeli government's conduct in Gaza. The arrests come as Netanyahu's visit to the UN draws large protests in New York, with activists and celebrities joining calls over the war.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the UN General Assembly, with observers noting he emphasised Israel's military achievements rather than its peace efforts in his remarks. The speech drew attention to Israel's strategic posture amid ongoing regional tensions, with commentators weighing what the emphasis signals about the government's priorities on the international stage.

The Vatican's top diplomat told the UN General Assembly that a two-state solution remains essential to resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and called for limits on the development and use of artificial intelligence. The speech aligns with Pope Francis's repeated appeals for peace in the Middle East and for ethical guardrails on new technologies. It underscores the Holy See's effort to shape international debate on both conflicts and technology governance.

An RFI investigation reports that the head of Egyptian intelligence warned Benjamin Netanyahu that an attack was imminent before October 7. The claim suggests Israeli leadership may have received prior warnings about Hamas's assault, fueling debate over why the attack was not prevented and who bears responsibility for the security failure.

A senior Hamas leader has dismissed Israel's election, saying its outcome will bring no change for Palestinians. The comments, reported by Le Monde, reflect Hamas's longstanding position that Israeli politics offers no path to Palestinian statehood or relief from occupation, regardless of which coalition forms the next government.

Zack Polanski says he will not be bowed by the abuse he receives for speaking about Palestine and criticising the Israeli government. He is continuing to call for a ceasefire and uses the slogan 'Free Palestine' in his public comments. The statement comes amid ongoing heated debate over Israel's war in Gaza and the treatment of politicians who criticise Israeli policy.

An Israeli travel group says a direct flight from Israel to Mauritius was refused landing permission, which the group attributes to political reasons. The claim, reported by The Times of Israel, has drawn attention because it suggests Mauritius may be restricting Israeli aviation access amid tensions linked to the Gaza war. Details about the airline, date, and Mauritius government's response were not immediately available.

Israel's government has delayed a tender for construction in the E1 area of the occupied West Bank, saying the move is intended to prevent the project from being used for electioneering. The E1 settlement plan, long controversial internationally because it would effectively split the West Bank, has repeatedly been frozen and revived amid political pressure. The postponement comes ahead of Israeli elections, with critics viewing the decision as politically motivated.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered officials to 'act to contain, minimize the escalation' in Gaza just days before Hamas's October 7 attack, according to a report aired on Israeli television. The revelation has drawn scrutiny in Israel, as it suggests the government was focused on easing tensions in Gaza immediately before the surprise assault that triggered the ongoing war.