Women Win $10 Million Lottery After Last-Minute Ticket Purchase

Two women in their 40s have claimed the first prize of 10 million shekels (approximately $2.7 million USD) in the Israeli lottery, after purchasing a ticket just before the deadline.

The winning ticket was bought on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, the day of the lottery draw, after one of the women attempted to buy a ticket the previous day but found the lottery stand closed. She decided to return the next day, driven by a "gut feeling" that she shouldn't miss the draw.

"I make sure to submit a ticket in most of the draws," one of the winners stated. "I always had a gut feeling that one day it would happen, and my partner used to laugh at me and say it wouldn't. This time the gut feeling was right."

The winning numbers were a combination of personal significant numbers and numbers chosen by the lottery's automated system. The morning after the draw, one of the women checked the numbers via the lottery's app and was stunned to discover their massive win. She immediately called her partner, who was initially skeptical, to share the news.

After verifying the win together, the couple visited the lottery headquarters. They expressed that the winnings will provide financial security for their children, born after years of fertility treatments, and ensure a stable future for their family. Their long-term dream is to purchase a private home in a pastoral setting for their retirement.