Razavi paints a picture of a government paralyzed by a convergence of economic devastation and widespread social unrest. "The regime is probably at a turning point in its 47-year history because it does not know how to respond today to this social, political, and economic crisis, which is setting the whole of Iran on fire," Razavi stated.

The protests, which began on December 28 over the high cost of living, have evolved into a movement explicitly rejecting the Islamic Republic. Citing a study by the Gaman Foundation, Razavi noted that "81% of Iranians no longer want the Islamic Republic. There really has been a rupture in Iran for years regarding political Islam."

Iran : «Depuis 24h, des hauts dignitaires du clan réformateur - dont le président de l'Assemblée islamique - tentent d'obtenir des visas français pour leurs familles via un avocat parisien», révèle le grand reporter Emmanuel Razavi (@erazavi3) dans l'émission «Points de Vue». pic.twitter.com/c5XSXZjNDW

— Le Figaro (@Le_Figaro) January 7, 2026

The economic drivers of this unrest are severe. "Iranian money is worth nothing," Razavi explained, noting that the exchange rate has plummeted to nearly 1.6 million rials to the dollar. "People no longer have the means to feed themselves... in Iran right now, people are struggling to find rice."

Unlike previous uprisings concentrated in major hubs, Razavi highlighted a strategic shift in the current unrest. "We are seeing many small and medium-sized cities – which is quite surprising – being touched by the unrest," he observed. He explained that in these areas, security apparatuses like the Basij militia are "less significant than in the big cities," making it "easier to make them fall."

Razavi reported seeing "police officers fraternizing with protesters" and confirmed that "the movement and the demonstrations are continuing... the entire country is involved."

As the ground shifts beneath them, regime insiders are reportedly breaking ranks. "A part of the Iranian dignitaries, particularly from the reformist clan, are starting to defect," Razavi revealed. He noted that President Massoud Pezeshkian is "seeing part of his entourage defect, making contact with foreign services but also with opposition movements."

Razavi was unsparing in his characterization of these officials. "It is a mafia clan," he told Le Figaro. "It is a clan that is involved in large-scale drug trafficking, notably with Colombian, Venezuelan, and Mexican mafias for years. Arms trafficking, prostitution, art trafficking."

Perhaps the most explosive revelation from the interview is the scramble by these officials to secure a safe haven in Europe. Razavi detailed a specific and recent development regarding their exit strategy. "Since precisely 24 hours, several personalities from the reformist clan have requested visas," Razavi stated. "Or at least are attempting, via a Parisian lawyer, to obtain French visas for their families." In a separate interview with the French outlet NRP, he said that president of the Islamic Assembly (parliament) Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, was among them.

When asked why they would target France, Razavi pointed to historical ties. "It is true that for some years these reformists have had very, very good relations with... the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs," he noted, suggesting these officials are trying "to purchase life insurance, of course, by betraying."

He noted that the regime was "trembling," a claimed that the opposition groups – including monarchists, centrists, and Kurds – were synchronized. "We clearly see a convergence taking place, which is historic after 47 years," he said, noting that these groups are largely "democratic and secular."

However, he warned that the transition will be complex. "If the regime falls, we must immediately ensure the continuity of the State," Razavi concluded. "It cannot happen with a snap of the fingers... there must be defections – people, civil servants who are capable of continuing to ensure the functioning of the administration."

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"When we attacked in Iran during 'Rising Lion' we were on its soil and knew how to lay the groundwork for a strike. I can assure you that we have some of our people operating there right now," Minister Eliyahu said, without specifying whether these were Mossad agents in the previous war.

He further addressed the internal situation in the Islamic Republic and the potential extent of Israeli involvement. "Are they now acting directly to topple the regime? No. Are they acting to ensure that Iran cannot threaten us from all other aspects? Yes."

Earlier this week, Minister Eliyahu also called for a crackdown on terror elements within the Bedouin diaspora (communities in the Negev). He noted that the issue is "no less dangerous than jihadist terror" and urged security forces to employ "the same measures operated against Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorists" against the rioters.

"In my military service I met quite a few Bedouins loyal to the state and its laws," Minister Eliyahu began. "But the terrorists among them endanger the State of Israel no less than the jihadists of Hamas. These are terrorists with a blue ID (Israeli citizenship), who hold stolen military weapons and spend their free time in the terror nests of Hebron, Ramallah and Nablus. From there they import women and radical ideological ideas."

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Preparation began weeks ago – as Israeli assessments predicted the LAF would claim compliance with the southern Lebanon demilitarization agreement. Intelligence indicates this declaration is false – confirming the continued presence of both weaponry and terrorists in the sector (though not directly on the contact line with Israel).

Once Israel issues its response – potentially revealing evidence exposing the LAF declaration as a lie – it will seek to solidify international legitimacy for military action in Lebanon.

The IDF has maintained readiness for intense strikes against Hezbollah terrorist sites for several weeks. However, the persistent media discussion surrounding the plans has eroded the element of surprise – potentially prompting targeted terrorists to go into hiding. Consequently, despite having both legitimacy and operational readiness – Israel may delay the attack for a more opportunistic moment rather than act immediately.

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The Saudis had recently distanced themselves from the Gaza issue. As reported by Israel Hayom, Riyadh previously announced it would refrain from involvement – including the deployment of troops – as long as Hamas remained in power. However, that stance is now shifting. Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan met last night in Washington with United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio to present a proposal for Saudi engagement in a different mold: accepting responsibility for supervision – or effective patronage – over the Palestinian Authority to ensure it completes necessary reforms. These reforms are a prerequisite demanded by Israel and the US, as well as Saudi Arabia and the UAE, for the PA's return to Gaza and potentially for the resumption of negotiations. During a press conference at Mar-a-Lago last week, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Israel Hayom that as long as the Authority fails to meet these benchmarks – which are also outlined in President Donald Trump's 20-point plan – Israel will oppose its restoration to power in Gaza.

There is another dimension to this maneuver: Saudi Arabia's desire to help bring the war in Gaza to a full conclusion and implement the Trump plan. Achieving this would remove one obstacle to the kingdom joining the Abraham Accords. However, according to Saudi and American officials, such a move has zero chance of success given the current composition of the Israeli coalition. The Saudis, notably, were the ones who originally demanded these reforms from the Palestinian Authority. This applies to structural changes – including mechanisms to prevent corruption and streamline operations – as well as measures to distance the body from terrorism, such as the de-radicalization of the education system and mosque preachers. Israel and the Americans have demanded the cessation of stipends to terrorists and their families, known as "Pay for Slay" – payment in exchange for murder. The Palestinian Authority claims it is undergoing a process of change in this area, but in practice, it has merely transferred these payments to an external body while ensuring the cash flow continues.

According to an investigation by Lt. Col. (res.) Adv. Maurice Hirsch, a senior fellow at the Jerusalem Center for Security and Foreign Affairs, the Palestinian Authority increased payments to terrorists in 2025 despite economic collapse, slashed revenues, and international pressure. The data reveals that while the Authority paid approximately $144 million to terrorists and their families in 2024, it has already committed to $214 million in 2025 – and the fiscal year is not yet over. These funds are distributed to the families of imprisoned terrorists, operatives injured while carrying out attacks, and the families of "Shahids" (martyrs) – terrorists killed during attacks. Reports surfaced during 2025 that the Palestinian Authority tweaked the payment structure to alleviate international pressure, including shifting some funds to a welfare system based on socio-economic criteria. Yet in practice, payments from the Authority's budget continue, partially through bypass channels.

Israel currently seized the estimated value of these terror stipends from the tax revenues it collects on behalf of the Authority, a deduction that exacerbates Ramallah's budgetary crisis. According to diplomatic sources, the Saudi proposal addresses this deadlock. The plan suggests that as reforms are implemented in this sector and others, Israel would begin releasing portions of the withheld funds, while the Saudis would provide an incentive grant to help the Authority balance its budget.

Senior Palestinian Authority official Hussein al-Sheikh, the deputy to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and his potential successor, visited several Gulf states last month, including Saudi Arabia, to present the reform plan. He warned of the Israeli trend toward settlement expansion and requested Saudi assistance on this matter as well. The Saudi initiative, which follows the meetings with al-Sheikh, is designed primarily to untie the knot stalling the rehabilitation of the Strip – the governance vacuum. Currently, there is effectively no agreed-upon governing body, but rather a list of Palestinian candidates slated for senior positions in a new administration. Most are professionals, bureaucrats, and white-collar workers, many of whom were previously employed by the PA. Israel Hayom has published that these lists were transferred to Israel for security vetting to verify they are not linked to terrorist organizations in the Strip.

Egypt, Turkey, and Qatar are promoting the PA's entry into the Strip even before reforms are enacted. The Egyptians, among others, have declared that Authority personnel, including security forces, will operate the Rafah crossing on the Palestinian side. Cairo argues there is no other body with the legal authority and practical capacity to do so. Furthermore, the Egyptians are advancing a proposal where Hamas would hand over its weapons to PA forces under the principle of "one government – one gun." In the Egyptian view, this would also solve the problem of demilitarizing the Strip.

Israel opposes integrating the Authority at this early stage prior to reforms. Jerusalem also rejects any scenario where Hamas weapons are handed over to Palestinian Authority personnel. The position of the United Arab Emirates is noteworthy. It does not support the Saudi move, primarily because the implementation of reforms appears particularly distant. The Emirati leadership has refused to provide an incentive grant to the Palestinian Authority at this stage, conditioning any aid on the rapid advancement of reforms – specifically regarding payments to terrorists and changes to educational curricula. The UAE leadership continues to pursue a policy distinct from the rest of the Arab states – and also from Saudi Arabia, with which it has recently experienced friction in several sectors – mainly in Yemen.

The post The Saudi deal: PA reforms in exchange for Gaza governance appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

Argamani and Or had arrived to celebrate at the Nova Festival in Re'im when they were separated during their abduction, as footage of Noa desperately calling Avinatan's name devastated viewers worldwide. She gained freedom through Operation Arnon in June 2024, during which Chief Inspector Arnon Zamora, who led the field operation, fell in combat.

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A post shared by Noa Argamani (@noargamani)

Now, following their agonizing separation, it proves particularly moving to share news of the couple's joint vacation, which Argamani detailed extensively on her Instagram account Wednesday evening in a post shared with her followers.

In her deeply emotional message posted from overseas, Argamani wrote, "Freedom. Suddenly, the word freedom takes on a different meaning. For so long, freedom felt like a sweet dream we wished for more than anything, a dream that in the hardest moments we feared might never come true.

"Now, as we are here together, all that remains is to look at this beautiful view with deep gratitude and understand that all those things that once seemed obvious now carry a completely different perspective," she continued.

"To see all of this and hardly believe it, finally, we can breathe again," she concluded.

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