Sunday, November 1
Seven stories that matter in Israel right now, each one compared across the newsrooms that covered it.
Israeli political and security fronts are both heating up tonight, with coalition-building timelines set in Jerusalem even as regional tensions over Iran simmer and Gaza operations continue under a more calculated approach.
- 1President Herzog to Begin Coalition Consultations Wednesday, Knesset Swears In November 10
President Herzog will open coalition consultations on November 4, with the new 26th Knesset set to be sworn in on November 10, i24 reports. The President's Residence says the talks will be livestreamed, and Herzog is expected to task a party leader with forming the next government by November 11.
- 2Israel Spares Hamas Civilian Leaders in Gaza Amidst Military Strikes
Israel is deliberately avoiding strikes on Hamas's civilian administrators in Gaza—mayors and senior officials—to prevent local institutions from collapsing into chaos, i24's French desk reports. Despite sharper IDF-Shin Bet intelligence enabling more precise military strikes on Hamas operatives, the group still runs day-to-day civilian life, and Israel worries that dismantling this structure further could trigger wider regional fallout.
- 3Trump and Netanyahu Discuss Iran Amid Potential U.S. Strikes
Makan reports that President Trump and PM Netanyahu spoke by phone Saturday as Washington weighs potential strikes on Iran, following Trump's talks with CENTCOM chief Admiral Brad Cooper on military options. Some reports point to a possible U.S. action as early as November 4, with Gulf states pressing for de-escalation over fears of an Iranian retaliatory response.
- 4Israeli Political Maneuvering Intensifies Over Knesset Speaker Role
According to Arab48, Israel's so-called 'Change Bloc,' led by Gadi Eisenkot, is maneuvering to oust Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana as Likud works to block the move, with the bloc split over timing and possible replacements such as Orit Farkash-Hacohen, Oded Forer, or Yair Lapid. The outlet notes a vote to replace the Speaker can be forced with just 61 signatures, even ahead of a new government being formed.