Two Soldiers Injured in Lebanon; Nine Israelis Arrested in Turkey for $266 Million Fraud

Two Israeli soldiers sustained minor injuries in southern Lebanon when their engineering vehicle struck a Hezbollah explosive device. In response, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) targeted Hezbollah infrastructure in the area, including observation posts and sites used by operatives to advance terror attacks against Israeli forces. The injured soldiers were evacuated for medical treatment, and their families were notified.

Separately, nine Israeli citizens were arrested in Turkey as part of a large-scale operation against a phone-based fraud network. The network, which allegedly operated for about a decade across several countries, is suspected of defrauding victims out of approximately $266 million. The suspects reportedly posed as customer service representatives, convincing individuals to invest through fake platforms and then showing fabricated profits to encourage further investment. Funds were allegedly transferred to offshore bank accounts and cryptocurrency wallets, with some victims losing hundreds of thousands of dollars.

In domestic Israeli news, a "Studio Friday" poll indicated that the bloc opposing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu holds a lead, with 50% of respondents saying they would vote for parties in that bloc if elections were held today. The bloc supporting Netanyahu garnered 37%, while 3% indicated support for a "third bloc" of parties not aligned with either major group.

In international news, former U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly admitted in private conversations that his decisions, including the "war with Iran," have negatively impacted the Republican Party's standing ahead of the midterm elections. This contrasts with his public statements, where he has maintained that his decisions were justified despite potential electoral consequences.

Additionally, reports from Saudi Arabia indicate that the Houthi rebels from Yemen launched an attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, causing a large fire and temporarily halting flights. Emergency services are working to control the blaze.