Gulf Foreign Ministers to Meet Iranian Counterpart Amid Strait of Hormuz Tensions

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) foreign ministers are planning to meet with their Iranian counterpart in an effort spearheaded by Oman and Iran to secure an interim agreement for managing shipping traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, according to the Financial Times. The meeting is reportedly scheduled for Monday in the Omani coastal city of Salalah, based on information from two individuals briefed on the matter.

Meanwhile, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman reportedly called U.S. President Donald Trump twice on Sunday, urging him to order strikes against the Houthis. Axios, citing two American officials, reported that Trump rejected the request, and U.S. administration sources indicated no intention of direct military action against the Houthis at this time. CNN previously reported that approximately 100 American military advisors are in Saudi Arabia, providing intelligence and advice on Houthi targets but not actively participating in attacks.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced that the Judea and Samaria Division, responsible for most of the West Bank, conducted a surprise drill involving all its units, lasting until the afternoon. The IDF stated the exercise was designed to test the forces' alertness and operational readiness, practicing various surprise scenarios as part of preparations for the upcoming holiday period. This drill is part of a series of exercises conducted by the IDF in recent weeks, including a large-scale drill on Sunday that assessed the readiness of senior IDF commands for a sudden and complex multi-front scenario.

A Maariv poll published on Monday suggests a significant decline for the Likud party, losing about 40% of its Knesset strength to 19 mandates, placing it second to Benny Gantz's National Unity party, which leads with 24 mandates. The poll indicates opposition blocs would secure 58 seats, with the Arab parties (Ra'am, United Arab List, Balad-Hadash-Ta'al) gaining a combined 19 seats. Ofer Winter's "Amcha Israel" party is projected to pass the electoral threshold, while Yoaz Hendel and Yaron Ze'ev's reservist party is polling at 3%.

Rachela Rabin-Yaakov, an educator, a founder of Kibbutz Menara, and the younger sister of the late Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, passed away at the age of 101. Rabin-Yaakov, who immigrated in 1943, served as a medic and radio operator during the 1948 War of Independence. She dedicated decades to education, establishing the "Har Ve'Gei" regional school and holding senior positions in the settlement education system. She had lived in Menara for over 80 years before being evacuated due to the war that began on October 7th and subsequent rocket fire towards the north. Following her brother's assassination in 1995, she was active in the Yitzhak Rabin Center and preserving his legacy. She is survived by her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.