Coalition deadlock and Iran war endgame: Israel's week of political and security turmoil

The anti-Netanyahu bloc holds 67 seats but cannot form a government amid internal divisions and Haredi demands.

Coalition negotiations stall as Eisenkot and Netanyahu clash — President Herzog tasked opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot with forming a government after he secured 67 recommendations, bypassing Netanyahu. However, coalition talks quickly deadlocked as Eisenkot faced a dilemma between partnering with Haredi parties—breaking a conscription promise—or Likud, violating the 'Only Not Bibi' law. Yair Lapid later declared his intent to form a government, but the change bloc remained fractured over including Arab parties and Haredi conscription exemptions. Netanyahu worked to split United Torah Judaism and approached Yisrael Beiteinu's Avigdor Liberman, who refused. Eisenkot canceled negotiations with Likud after Netanyahu's Knesset speech, which he called incitement. Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara stated no evidence affected election results, but Shin Bet investigated Joint List figures, adding to political tensions. By week's end, no coalition had formed, leaving Israel in a governing vacuum. US-Iran war endgame and diplomatic maneuvering — Trump claimed the US won the war in Iran, announcing 18 American deaths and a $20 million bounty on Iran's nuclear program, but no talks were ongoing. US envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff met Russian President Putin in Moscow to discuss a new security agreement with Europe and steps to end the Russia-Ukraine war. Qatar's Prime Minister secured a two-week diplomatic window to prevent a US attack on Iran, while Iran showcased new missile capabilities and denied talks. Netanyahu urged Trump daily to strike Iran, but Trump resisted, acceding to Saudi, Qatari, and UAE requests. US Central Command prepared IDF representatives for a possible resumption of the military campaign in Iran, contradicting Trump's statements. Iran resumed ballistic missile production, and Western intelligence estimated Iran retains at least 1,700 missiles. The IAEA expressed concern about Iran's undisclosed underground enrichment facility at Isfahan. Trump suspended $4 billion in military aid to Israel, shocking the defense establishment. Settler violence surges and Gaza humanitarian crisis deepens — Settler violence against Palestinians surged 111%