Wednesday, October 28

With 66% of votes counted, mignews reports Likud projected at 27 seats and the 'Yashar' party at 21, leaving the current coalition's potential 54 seats short of the 61-seat majority needed, as final results await soldier and diplomat ballots.

Hamal reports Israeli markets tumbled Wednesday on the inconclusive election outcome, with the shekel weakening to about 3.10 to the dollar and Tel Aviv Stock Exchange indices sliding, led by construction stocks, as investors brace for possible government instability.

Hamal notes global media coverage of the election diverged sharply, with Western outlets stressing coalition-building difficulties while Arab media framed the vote as a referendum on Netanyahu and highlighted Arab party gains.

Makan reports Washington has urged Gulf allies to prepare for a potential short, intense military operation against Iran after the US midterms on November 3, with Trump reportedly inclined toward a broad strike though no final decision has been made.

i24_ar reports a knife-wielding attacker shouting 'Allahu Akbar' was killed by police after wounding a guard near the Israeli Embassy in Belgrade, prompting Serbian authorities to call it a terrorist attack and raise the national threat level to its highest, echoing a similar June incident at the same site.

Arab48 reports Dutch broadcaster NPO has pulled the Netherlands from Eurovision 2027 over controversy surrounding Israel's participation, citing societal divisions, adding to a string of boycotts linked to the Gaza conflict.

Ashams reports the Health Ministry is investigating a suspected rabies case in a cat found in Al-Mashhad village on October 25, urging anyone with contact to the animal or strays between October 12-28 to contact Nazareth health authorities.