Two Soldiers Injured in Southern Lebanon; Nine Israelis Arrested in Turkey for Major Fraud Scheme

Two Israeli soldiers sustained minor injuries in southern Lebanon on Saturday when their engineering vehicle struck a Hezbollah explosive device. In response, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) conducted retaliatory strikes targeting Hezbollah terror infrastructure in the area, including observation posts and facilities used by operatives to advance terror attacks against IDF 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 suspected of operating for a decade and defrauding victims of approximately $266 million. The arrests were made during a raid on call centers where the suspects allegedly worked, convincing victims to invest through controlled platforms and then showing fabricated profits to solicit further funds. Victims reportedly lost tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars, with funds transferred to offshore bank accounts and cryptocurrency wallets. Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed it is handling the situation and ensuring the detainees' rights are protected.

In domestic political news, a "Studio Friday" poll indicates that a bloc opposing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu leads with 50% of the vote, compared to 37% for Netanyahu's bloc. The poll also showed a lead for a non-Netanyahu candidate in suitability for prime minister. A separate report cited U.S. President Donald Trump admitting in private conversations that his decisions, including the conflict with Iran, have negatively impacted the Republican Party's standing ahead of the midterm elections, despite his public stance.

Additionally, reports from Saudi Arabia indicate a Houthi attack on Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport, causing a large fire and temporary suspension of flights. Emergency services are working to control the blaze.