Israel's election campaign intensifies amid security crises and diplomatic battles

Polls show deadlock as anti-Netanyahu bloc struggles to unite

Fractured opposition and Likud's wedge strategy — The Israeli election campaign entered its final month with polls consistently showing no bloc commanding a 61-seat majority. Opposition leaders Naftali Bennett, Yair Lapid, Yair Golan, Avigdor Lieberman, and Gadi Eisenkot signed a joint principles document to replace the government but remained divided on the candidate for prime minister. Likud exploited this disarray, running security-focused campaign ads against the Joint List and raising fears of a left-wing government relying on Arab parties. Meanwhile, the Central Elections Committee disqualified Balad chairman Sami Abu Shahada for supporting terrorism, prompting his resignation after the High Court indicated it would uphold the disqualification. Right-wing activists blocked Arab MK Ahmad Tibi on the campaign trail, and Likud candidate Itzik Bonzel attacked hostage survivor Yocheved Lifshitz. The Democrats party faced internal turbulence, and Ofer Winter's Amcha Yisrael party continued to decline, sparking debate within Likud over consolidating the right-wing vote. IDF on high alert across multiple fronts — The IDF remained on high alert across Gaza, the West Bank, and the Iran front, with the US sending the USS Theodore Roosevelt and a Marine unit. In Gaza, the IDF eliminated Hamas commanders including Muhammad Gaba'in and Saher Sakr, who had kidnapped Noa Argamani on October 7, as well as Hamas financier Shadi Abu Khadira. The IDF controlled 63% of Gaza, while Hamas continued to rebuild its command chain despite eliminations. In the West Bank, tensions spiked with settler violence in Jiloud and Jallud, where over 100 Israelis rioted after an unauthorized Shomron Brigade operation, injuring three Border Police officers. The IDF deployed the elite 98th Division to Judea and Samaria, where over 150 Palestinian police officers had carried out attacks. Hezbollah launched an explosive drone at IDF forces in southern Lebanon, prompting Israeli airstrikes, while the Golani Brigade concluded operations in southern Lebanon. The government extended reserve duty until November 30. Netanyahu's diplomatic gambles and legal battles — Prime Minister Netanyahu's UN spe