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An Israeli airstrike targeting the Nasser Hospital in southern Gaza killed six people and wounded at least a dozen more, Gaza's Health Ministry said. The strike was carried out early Thursday, according to the Israeli military, which said it struck "a senior Hamas terrorist" and other militants, without providing evidence.

Gadi Eisenkot, the politician tasked with forming Israel's next government, has pledged to reverse several policies of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as the country's newly elected parliament was sworn in on Tuesday. The pledge sets the stage for a crucial month of legislative initiatives and coalition negotiations. Eisenkot, a former military chief, has up to six weeks to form a government, potentially ending Netanyahu's tenure as Israel's longest-serving prime minister. Although it remains uncertain whether Eisenkot can secure the support needed to form a coalition, Netanyahu's opponents now hold a clear majority in the new Knesset, allowing them to pursue legislation in the meantime. At the opening of the parliamentary session, Eisenkot's bloc introduced several bills targeting Netanyahu and his policies. The proposed measures include establishing an official government inquiry into the Hamas-led October 7, 2023 attacks, introducing term limits for prime ministers and reversing changes made by Netanyahu's outgoing government to restrict the powers of the judiciary. It was not immediately clear how quickly the proposals would advance or how far they would go in the coming weeks. Competing calls for unity Eisenkot, a former general who campaigned on a straightforward and pragmatic platform, reiterated on Tuesday that he wanted to form a government trusted by all Israelis rather than one representing only particular political groups. "We will act for all citizens of Israel, those who voted for us and those who did not, out of deep commitment," he said ahead of the Knesset's swearing-in ceremony. Netanyahu has sought to challenge the certified election results after his bloc failed to secure a parliamentary majority. He has repeatedly made unsubstantiated allegations that Arab-led parties "stole" the election. Addressing parliament after the swearing-in ceremony, Netanyahu again questioned the reliability of Arab politicians, who represent about 20 percent of Israel's population. He also criticised Jewish opposition leaders who have indicated their willingness to work with Arab parties to form a government. Eisenkot has not ruled out such an arrangement, provided the parties meet certain conditions, including recognising Israel as a Jewish state and declaring Hamas a terrorist organisation. "I ask you: Are you prepared to be dependent on those whose goal is the destruction of the Jewish state?" Netanyahu said. Eisenkot described Netanyahu's speech as "divisive" and "hate-filled", saying it had further strengthened his belief that Netanyahu was unfit to remain in office even for another minute. He later announced that he had cancelled a meeting scheduled for Wednesday with Netanyahu's Likud party following the speech. Opposition moves to advance legislative agenda Eisenkot's bloc also initiated proceedings on Tuesday to replace the parliamentary speaker as it began pursuing its legislative priorities. A majority of Knesset members submitted signatures seeking the removal of current speaker Amir Ohana, a Netanyahu ally, marking the first step towards a vote on his replacement. The process can move forward even before a new coalition government is formed. The speaker holds considerable influence over parliamentary proceedings, including deciding which bills are taken up for consideration. An appointment from among Eisenkot's opposition allies could therefore help advance their legislative agenda. The opposition has nominated Matan Kahana, a senior member of Eisenkot's Yashar party, for the position. A vote on his appointment could take place as early as this week. Netanyahu remains caretaker prime minister The swearing-in of the new Knesset has ushered in an unusual transitional phase in Israeli politics, with Netanyahu and his Cabinet continuing to govern while newly elected lawmakers begin introducing legislation. Meanwhile, Eisenkot is expected to hold talks with political party leaders to assemble a coalition that could pave the way for him to become prime minister. If he fails to form a government, Israeli President Isaac Herzog is expected to give Netanyahu another opportunity to secure the necessary support. As caretaker prime minister, Netanyahu faces court-imposed restrictions on his authority. However, he can still make appointments and potentially seek to block new legislation. He retains full control over national security matters, including the military. Netanyahu has called on Jewish-led parties to form a unity government, citing the threat of a possible Iranian attack. Renewing his appeal on Tuesday, he urged the parties to "set aside all other considerations" and said Israel should work to topple the Iranian government. A new governing coalition without Netanyahu could leave him politically exposed as he faces an ongoing corruption trial and the possibility of investigations into security failures preceding the October 7 attacks.

Saudi Arabia said it intercepted incoming missiles targeting the kingdom's capital and other regions on Sunday, with falling debris damaging a building belonging to the state-owned oil giant Aramco in Riyadh’s financial district. Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates said it rescued 22 crew members after a fire broke out aboard a cargo ship in the Sea of Oman, as risks to commercial shipping in the region remain high. And in Israel, opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot formally got the first chance to form a new government. Witnesses in Riyadh said they heard a loud explosion Sunday morning and described damage at an Aramco building in the King Abdullah Financial District. The witnesses spoke on condition of anonymity because of security concerns. The Saudi Energy Ministry said there were no casualties at the Aramco facility. The Saudi-led coalition said its air defenses intercepted two ballistic missiles and two cruise missiles targeting Riyadh and other regions early Sunday, accusing the Iran-backed Houthis of launching the weapons. The Houthis' military spokesperson, Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree, claimed in a statement Sunday that they had hit Riyadh’s financial district and other targets in response to attacks in recent days on a village and a market in Yemen, which he said left dozens dead or wounded and blamed on Saudi Arabia.      

Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Sunday formally tasked opposition politician Gadi Eisenkot with forming the country's next government, giving him the first opportunity to replace long-serving Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The move marks a significant step in Eisenkot's efforts to take power following the October 27 election, although difficult coalition negotiations lie ahead in a deeply divided country still grappling with the aftermath of the Hamas-led October 7, 2023 attacks and the multiple wars that followed. Speaking at a ceremony at the presidential residence in Jerusalem, Herzog expressed hope that the next government would promote national unity and help heal divisions across Israeli society. He said the country's survival depended on bringing together all segments of the population. However, the appointment does not guarantee that Eisenkot, a former army chief, will become prime minister. He has up to six weeks to secure the support of political parties and form a coalition, as the election failed to give either his bloc or Netanyahu's camp a clear parliamentary majority. Herzog said a majority of members of the Knesset, Israel's parliament, had backed Eisenkot during consultations with political parties. At the ceremony, Eisenkot pledged to provide trustworthy leadership that would serve the public interest and represent all sections of society. He said an overwhelming majority of lawmakers representing the Israeli public supported political change, adding that he would approach the challenge with patience, humility and a commitment to building a Jewish, equal, liberal and secure Israel. Coalition negotiations pose difficult political choices The Arab-led parties, which made significant gains in the election following strong turnout among Arab citizens of Israel, could play a decisive role in determining the next government. Only one Arab party, Ra'am, has previously joined an Israeli governing coalition, doing so in 2021. The party has pledged to support Eisenkot, but its parliamentary strength alone is insufficient to give him a majority. In a departure from decades of political practice, another Arab-led party, the Joint List, has offered to support Eisenkot's government from outside the coalition in an effort to end Netanyahu's hold on power. However, such cooperation presents difficulties for both sides. The Joint List would be backing a government that may not end Israel's wars or halt settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank. For Eisenkot and his opposition partners, cooperation would mean relying on parties that strongly criticise Israeli policies and oppose the country's definition as a Jewish state. One of Eisenkot's political partners, the conservative Yisrael Beytenu party, has already ruled out joining a government that includes Arab-led parties. Eisenkot has set four conditions for parties seeking to join his coalition. They must recognise Israel as a Jewish and democratic state, accept its declaration of independence, support military, national or civilian service for all citizens, and designate Hamas as a terrorist organisation. It remains uncertain whether the potential Arab partners will agree to these conditions. Meanwhile, Netanyahu has repeatedly made unsubstantiated allegations that Arab parties "stole" the election and warned Eisenkot that forming an alliance with them would amount to betrayal. Israel's Shin Bet security agency has launched an investigation into possible foreign interference in the election. However, the Central Elections Committee and Herzog have maintained that the vote was valid, saying that even if irregularities are established, they did not significantly affect the results. Eisenkot faces major hurdles in forming a coalition Eisenkot has pledged to form a government as quickly as possible, but the available options involve difficult political compromises. Apart from seeking support from Arab-led parties, he could consider a power-sharing arrangement with Netanyahu or negotiate with ultra-Orthodox parties that want to retain military service exemptions for their communities. Equal military service was a major campaign pledge for Eisenkot and his partners, who have called for an end to the longstanding exemptions. The ultra-Orthodox parties, which were part of Netanyahu's outgoing coalition, want to preserve the exemptions, arguing that they are essential to their religious way of life. The issue has become increasingly contentious among the wider Israeli public during the past three years of war. The ultra-Orthodox party United Torah Judaism, aware that its support could be decisive in the coalition negotiations, has kept open the possibility of cooperating with Eisenkot. Under the constitutional process, Eisenkot has 28 days to form a government, with a possible two-week extension from the president. If he fails, Netanyahu could be given another opportunity to assemble a coalition. Should he also fail, Israel would return to the polls early next spring. The newly elected members of the Knesset are scheduled to be sworn in on Tuesday evening. Netanyahu and his cabinet will continue in a caretaker capacity with limited powers until a new coalition government is formed. Wars and international support await next government The next Israeli government will also face major security and diplomatic challenges. Despite ceasefires, Israeli forces remain engaged in fighting Hamas militants in Gaza and Iran-backed Hezbollah militants in Lebanon. The war launched by Israel and the United States against Iran also remains unresolved. Both Herzog and Eisenkot highlighted these challenges on Sunday, along with what the president described as the changing political situation in the United States, where the recent midterm elections indicated weakening support for Israel among both Democrats and Republicans. Herzog urged Eisenkot to draw on his military leadership experience and personal loss, including the death of his son in combat in Gaza, to help unite the country. Recalling Eisenkot's years of military service, Herzog said he had commanded soldiers from different backgrounds across Israeli society and bore the physical scars of decades of military leadership and combat. He urged Eisenkot to remember, during the coming coalition negotiations, that the entire nation was looking to him with its pain, hopes, prayers and fears.

Syria is preparing to deploy fighters to Saudi Arabia to help secure its border and potentially support its fight against Iran-backed Houthi rebels in neighbouring Yemen, according to three officials familiar with the plan. Syrian military advisers have already arrived in Saudi Arabia, but no fighters have yet been sent to Yemen, a regional official and two Syrian officials told The Associated Press, speaking on condition of anonymity as they were not authorised to discuss the matter publicly. Saudi officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Fighting between Houthi rebels and forces backed by Saudi Arabia has intensified in Yemen since this summer. The Houthis have also carried out deadly attacks directly against Saudi Arabia, opening another front in a regional conflict that began in February when the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran. Syria, which has a large pool of battle-hardened fighters following years of civil war, has so far remained outside the conflict. Although Saudi Arabia has US-supplied fighter jets and advanced missile defence systems, it has failed to defeat the Houthis in previous rounds of fighting. While other Saudi allies have been hesitant to commit ground troops to the conflict, Syria's government has strong reasons to support Riyadh. Saudi Arabia funded Syrian rebel groups during the country's civil war and has pledged much-needed financial assistance for Syria's postwar reconstruction. Syrian fighters expected to deploy near Saudi-Yemen border A Syrian official said an initial contingent of around 600 special forces personnel was expected to arrive in Saudi Arabia within the coming week. The official said a Syrian delegation led by Khaled Khattab, commander of the 82nd Division, had recently completed a two-week visit to Saudi Arabia. Another Syrian official said 36 Syrian military officers had visited a joint command and operations room in Jeddah, where Saudi and Yemeni officials briefed them on various front lines and operational areas. According to the regional official, Syria has already sent a small number of military advisers to Saudi Arabia to help train Yemeni forces stationed inside the kingdom. Syria may join defence pact with Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan Meanwhile, a Syrian diplomatic official rejected reports that Syrian troops were preparing to enter Yemen, according to a report published by the state-run SANA news agency on Saturday. The official said the agreement with Saudi Arabia was focused on training the kingdom's military personnel and strengthening its defence capabilities. Syrian officials have publicly acknowledged discussions over the country's possible participation in a joint defence agreement recently signed by Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan. Known as the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, the pact was signed in August and commits the three countries to treating an attack against any one of them as an attack against all, while expanding military cooperation. Two Syrian officials said a decision had already been taken for Syria to join the agreement, although it had not been publicly announced. However, the regional official said negotiations were still underway. One concern surrounding Syria's possible membership is that Damascus could seek military support from the other signatories against Israel, the regional official said. Following the ouster of former Syrian President Bashar Assad in December 2024, Israeli forces took control of a United Nations-patrolled buffer zone in southern Syria and have maintained their presence there. Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa has said his government does not want a confrontation with Israel and has called for Israeli forces to withdraw. Last week, Syria and Saudi Arabia announced the signing of a military cooperation agreement without disclosing further details. During al-Sharaa's visit to Riyadh, the Saudi government also agreed to provide Syria with more than $400 million in loans for rebuilding homes and basic infrastructure damaged during the war. Syria's possible role marks a shift in regional conflict stance Syria has previously rejected proposals from US President Donald Trump to deploy its forces against the Iran-backed Hezbollah militant group in Lebanon. Al-Sharaa has repeatedly said his government's priority is rebuilding the country after its prolonged civil war and avoiding involvement in new regional conflicts. However, Saudi Arabia has played a crucial role in helping Syria restore its ties with the wider Arab world, which had largely isolated the country during Assad's rule. Any Syrian involvement in the conflict against the Houthis in Yemen could also expose the country to attacks by armed groups in neighbouring Iraq that are allied with the rebels.

Saudi Arabia said it intercepted missiles targeting its capital and other regions on Sunday, while falling debris from the interceptions damaged a building of state-owned oil giant Aramco in Riyadh's financial district. Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) said it rescued 22 crew members after a fire broke out aboard a cargo ship in the Sea of Oman, amid continued security risks to commercial shipping in the region. Here are the latest developments in the Middle East on Sunday. Aramco building damaged in Riyadh after missile interceptions Witnesses in Riyadh reported hearing a loud explosion on Sunday morning and said several floors of an Aramco building in the King Abdullah Financial District had sustained damage, with some sections appearing severely affected. The witnesses spoke on condition of anonymity due to security concerns. The Saudi-led coalition said its air defence systems intercepted two ballistic missiles and two cruise missiles targeting Riyadh and other parts of the kingdom early Sunday, blaming the Houthis for launching the attacks. Saudi Arabia's Energy Ministry said debris from the interceptions fell on the building, causing minor damage, but no casualties were reported. The Saudi Center for International Communication and Aramco did not immediately respond to requests for comment from The Associated Press. The Saudi-led coalition also said it intercepted a ballistic missile overnight that was heading towards the kingdom's southern region along the Yemeni border, an area that has repeatedly faced Houthi attacks. The latest incident came a day after Saudi airstrikes targeted areas near Sanaa, Yemen's Houthi-controlled capital. Houthi officials claimed that at least 27 people were killed in the strikes. UAE rescues 22 crew members after cargo ship catches fire The UAE National Guard said it rescued 22 crew members from a cargo vessel that caught fire in the Sea of Oman. All the crew members, who were of Arab nationalities, were in stable condition after receiving first aid. The National Guard did not disclose the vessel's identity or the cause of the fire. Meanwhile, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), a British military organisation that monitors maritime security incidents, said a tanker caught fire on Saturday about eight nautical miles northwest of Oman's Khasab, forcing its crew to evacuate. The organisation did not identify the vessel or specify who might have targeted it. It was also unclear whether the tanker was the same vessel whose crew members were rescued by the UAE. The incident came amid heightened security risks to commercial shipping in the region. On Saturday, US forces disabled a St Kitts-flagged cargo ship in the Gulf of Oman, alleging that it had attempted to breach the US naval blockade of Iran. The blockade is being enforced in and around the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil shipments. Separately, Iran's military said late Saturday that two tankers had struck mines and caught fire in the Strait of Hormuz area. However, it did not disclose the vessels' flags or destinations. Israel's president taps Netanyahu's election rival to form government Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Saturday designated Gadi Eisenkot to form the country's next government following consultations with political parties elected to parliament on October 27. The decision marked another setback for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whose parliamentary majority was lost in the election, which failed to give any party a clear majority. However, Herzog's decision does not necessarily mean Eisenkot will become the next prime minister. Following an official ceremony on Sunday, Eisenkot is expected to begin challenging negotiations with potential coalition partners to secure the support needed to form a government. Mixed reactions across Middle East to Israel's political change Residents of Israel, the Palestinian territories and other parts of the Middle East expressed mixed reactions to Gadi Eisenkot's efforts to form a new Israeli government, with some welcoming the prospect of political change while others remained doubtful about any significant shift in Israeli policies. In Jerusalem, some residents expressed hope that the new government would give priority to Israel's security and bring together politically divided groups. Others called for a reversal of Netanyahu's judicial overhaul and the inclusion of an Arab party in the government, which would be only the second such instance in Israel's history. "The majority of the country is against this dictatorial regime of Bibi Netanyahu and need a new start," Jerusalem resident Anny Soronow said. However, Palestinians in the war-ravaged Gaza Strip and the occupied West Bank expressed less optimism about the possible political transition. In neighbouring Lebanon, resident Rima al-Ghazal said she did not expect an Eisenkot-led government to bring an end to ongoing Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon. In Tehran, Iranian resident Ali Soroush said the hostility between Israel and the Islamic Republic would largely continue regardless of the political change in Israel.

Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Energy said on Sunday that an administrative building belonging to Saudi Aramco in Riyadh had been targeted in an attempted attack, causing minor damage but no casualties. The ministry said in a statement posted on the social media platform X that falling shrapnel had caused limited damage to the building. Relevant authorities had responded to the incident and taken the necessary measures, it added. The statement came after the Saudi-led coalition said earlier on Sunday that it had intercepted two cruise missiles over Riyadh and southern regions, as well as two ballistic missiles launched by the Houthi group toward Riyadh.   

Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Saturday tasked opposition candidate Gadi Eisenkot with forming a governing coalition following the October 27 elections, handing a major setback to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Eisenkot, a former military chief and leader of the Yashar party, has up to six weeks to assemble a majority following three years of war triggered by the October 7, 2023 attacks. Writing on X, he called for establishing a "national emergency government." With neither Netanyahu's Likud-led bloc nor Eisenkot's alliance securing a majority, Arab-led parties have emerged as historic kingmakers. Shortly before the announcement, Netanyahu urged a "national unity government" and warned against teaming up with Arab parties, whom he termed "terrorist supporters." Yashar criticized Netanyahu's remarks and urged Likud to disavow its far-right allies. Eisenkot faces tough choices: forming a broad unity government with Likud despite deep rifts over ultra-Orthodox draft exemptions and October 7 failure probes, or relying on external support from Arab-led parties.

Egypt and Saudi Arabia called on all parties involved in regional tensions to exercise restraint, prioritize dialogue and negotiations, and avoid steps that could trigger further escalation, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said on Saturday. During a phone call on Friday, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and his Saudi counterpart, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, reviewed joint efforts to prevent escalation and urged all parties to respond positively to mediators' efforts to defuse tensions and reach understandings, said the ministry. They stressed the importance of avoiding military confrontations that could undermine regional security and stability and push the crisis back to square one, it added. The ministers agreed to continue coordination and consultations with relevant parties to promote peace, uphold international law and pursue a serious political approach to address the crisis at its roots and prevent its negative repercussions across the region and internationally. According to the ministry, the Friday conversation is part of ongoing consultations between the two countries on regional developments. The two ministers also held a phone call on Thursday, stressing the need to prioritize dialogue and allow more time for diplomatic and political efforts. The calls came amid renewed tensions between the United States and Iran, with Washington warning of possible further military action against Tehran, while Iran has signaled readiness to resume negotiations and reopen the Strait of Hormuz if its demands are met.  

Arab political parties in Israel have signalled their willingness to support a Jewish-led opposition alliance to end Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s long rule, although major political differences could complicate any such partnership. Ahmad Tibi, a senior lawmaker from the Arab Joint List, said his bloc was ready to break with past practice and support an anti-Netanyahu government without joining it. “We want to do things that we did not do in the past in order to remove this criminal government,” Tibi told The Associated Press. Such support could prove crucial after the latest election left Netanyahu’s coalition short of a parliamentary majority. The opposition, led by former general Gadi Eisenkot, won 48 seats in the 120-member Knesset, against 53 for Netanyahu’s coalition. The Joint List secured 11 seats, while the more moderate Arab party Ra’am won eight. The Joint List could help the opposition form a government by voting in its favour or abstaining, without becoming part of the administration. However, cooperation would be politically sensitive for both sides. For Arab lawmakers, supporting a government that may continue Israel’s wars and settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank would be difficult. Meanwhile, some Jewish-led opposition parties are reluctant to cooperate with the Joint List because of its criticism of Israel’s policies and rejection of the country’s identity as a Jewish state. Tibi said rejecting Arab parties’ support would show that Israel was “an ethnocracy, not an absolute democracy for all citizens”. Palestinian citizens and their descendants make up around 20 percent of Israel’s population. Although they have citizenship and voting rights, Arab-led parties have historically faced distrust among many Jewish Israelis. The Joint List, a coalition of three left-wing and nationalist parties, calls for equal rights for all citizens and supports a Palestinian state in the West Bank, Gaza and east Jerusalem. It rejects what it describes as Israel’s “racist Zionist consensus”. Only one Arab party, Ra’am, has previously joined an Israeli government, in 2021. It is more conciliatory than the Joint List and has also expressed willingness to support another anti-Netanyahu administration. Eisenkot’s allies remain divided over cooperation with Arab parties. Some welcome their support, while others cite statements by Joint List leaders that they believe challenge Israel’s legitimacy. Eisenkot has said Arab parties must meet certain conditions, including describing Hamas as a terrorist group that should be destroyed. Tibi, however, said such conditions did not apply to parties seeking only to support a government from outside. Both the Joint List and Ra’am have condemned the Hamas-led October 7, 2023 attack and violence against civilians but have refused to label Hamas a terrorist group or call for its destruction, arguing that such a position would justify Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. Tibi said he did not expect a partnership to end the wars or establish a Palestinian state but believed a change of government could improve the lives of Palestinian citizens, including by addressing violent crime in Arab communities. He also said the strong participation of Arab voters in the election had changed the political narrative surrounding his role. In 2019, Netanyahu campaigned under the slogan “Bibi or Tibi?” to warn voters against relying on Arab parties to form a government. “When he said ‘Bibi or Tibi,’ he incited against Arabs,” Tibi said. “Now, it’s ‘Tibi,’ because Arab voters went in a very massive way to take part in the elections. It’s definitely our story this time.”