Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has named Roman Gofman as director of the Mossad, despite Gofman having no background in intelligence or special operations. The Mossad is a profession, not a political posting. An appointment based on personal loyalty rather than professional expertise places Israel’s security at risk.

Israel will compete in Eurovision 2026 in Vienna. The decision was made a short time ago in a secret ballot held by the European Broadcasting Union’s general assembly. The Netherlands, Spain, Slovenia and Ireland have withdrawn from the contest.

Abu Shabab, who established an independent Gazan militia and opposed Hamas rule, was critically wounded in an assassination attempt and later pronounced dead. Hamas accused him of treason and of serving as an Israeli proxy, attacked his men and released footage showing militants being killed.

Greek defense minister has revealed a plan to deploy missiles across the Aegean islands, calling Turkey “the greatest threat”. Large parts of the Greek weapons systems are expected to come from Israel as part of a major deal.

Gofman will replace Mossad director David Barnea, whose five-year term ends in June 2026. Gofman has served as a combat soldier and commander in the Armored Corps, and commander of the National Ground Training Center, and Chief of Staff of the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories.

Several EU representatives of member states confronted PA representatives with evidence that they continued to transfer funds to terrorists through alternative channels, and expressed their dissatisfaction with the violation of the commitment.

"Chicago cannot claim to care about equity or safety while treating violence against Jews as a low-priority offense," Daniel Schwartz, president and co-founder of the Chicago Jewish Alliance, told JNS.

Civilian representatives from Israel and Lebanon met for the first time in US-mediated discussions aimed at advancing economic cooperation. Lebanese diplomat Simon Karam, a Maronite Christian and outspoken opponent of Hezbollah, headed the Lebanese team in what Israeli officials described as a breakthrough compared with past negotiations.

790 days after the deadliest massacre in Israel’s history, which led to the abduction of hundreds of civilians, Staff Sgt. Ran Gvili is now the last hostage still held in the Gaza Strip. 

Deceased hostage and Thai citizen Sutthisak Rinthalak, 43, had worked in Israeli agriculture since 2017. He is survived by his parents and a brother. On the morning of the October 7 massacre, he was working in fields near Kibbutz Be’eri.