News Digest — 11/10/26
26th Knesset Opens: 120 MKs Sworn In At Festive Ceremony
The 26th Knesset was officially opened on Tuesday (10th) with a festive session in the Knesset plenum, during which all 120 members were sworn into office. The ceremony was attended by President Isaac Herzog, Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, along with senior state officials and family members of the newly elected lawmakers.
One of the highlights of the ceremony was the recitation of Psalm 122 by Avi Harush, father of the late Sgt. Reef Harush, who fell in battle in southern Gaza in April 2024. During the session, excerpts from Israel’s Declaration of Independence were read in David Ben-Gurion’s voice, played on screens in the plenum, The ceremony concluded with a performance of Israel’s national anthem “Hatikvah.” by the Pirchei Ashkelon children’s choir.
Preparations for the ceremony began at 8:a.m. when members of the Knesset began arriving at the building. Each lawmaker received a ceremonial flower to wear on their lapel and had an opportunity to take photographs with family members in an area specially prepared for the occasion. Official portraits of all MKs were also taken for use in Knesset publications and attendance boards throughout their terms.
The official ceremony began at 3:20 p.m. in the Knesset Plaza. President Herzog arrived accompanied by a motorcycle escort and was welcomed by Knesset Speaker Ohana.
The president then laid a wreath at the memorial honoring Israel’s fallen soldiers and victims of terrorism in the Knesset plaza.
Following the outdoor ceremony the President and Knesset Speaker proceeded to the Speaker’s office, where Herzog, (as did former presidents) wrote a traditional message of blessing to each incoming Knesset.
President Herzog opened the festive plenary session with an address followed by three strikes of the gavel.
After Speaker Amir Ohana and all the MK members were sworn in, a group picture was taken in the Chagall Lounge.
The celebrations concluded with a blessing over wine by the Knesset Speaker and a festive toast marking the beginning of the 26th Knesset’s term.
Israel Recognizes Passengers On Targeted Flydubai Flight As Victims Of Terrorism
Israel’s Defense Ministry announced Monday (9th) that passengers aboard a Flydubai flight from the United Arab Emirates, targeted in an attempted terrorist attack, have been officially recognized as victims of hostile acts, making those who suffered physical or psychological harm eligible to seek compensation and benefits.
The decision followed confirmation from authorized security and investigative agencies that the incident constituted an attempted terror attack.
The ministry’s approving authority formally classified the incident as an act of hostility under Israel’s Victims of Hostile Actions Law, allowing affected passengers to pursue recognition and financial assistance through the national Insurance Institute.
Following the determination, the Defense Ministry transferred responsibility for handling the passengers’ claims to the institute, which has already contacted those affected to assist them with the process.
However, the National Insurance Institute clarified that official recognition of the incident does not automatically entitle every passenger compensation.
Individuals who experienced physical injuries, psychological trauma or both must submit their own claims for disability recognition.
Applications cannot be filed proactively on behalf of all affected passengers.
Under the law, claimants seeking disability benefits must undergo an evaluation by a medical committee, which will determine the extent of their injuries and assign an individual disability rating.
The institute emphasized that assessments would reflect each applicant’s circumstances rather than applying a single disability percentage to everyone aboard the flight.
Passengers whose disability rating exceeds 20% will qualify for a pension and additional benefits under the legislation.
Responding to questions about the required medical assessments, the institute explained that the procedures are mandated by law rather than established at its discretion.
“Not because the National Insurance Institute wants it, but because that is the law in the State of Israel,” it said.
The institute also stressed that it administers the existing legal framework rather than determining eligibility requirements independently.
Israel’s Victims of Hostile Actions Law governs compensation and disability recognition for people harmed in hostile incidents, establishing procedures similar to those applicable to members of the security forces.
Residents Accuse Hamas Of Exploiting Winter For Financial Gain
Anger at Hamas is mounting in the Gaza Strip, with Palestinians accusing the terrorist organization of exploiting the winter season for financial gain, selling tents at exorbitant prices and preventing others from trading in tents and winter relief supplies.
“With winter arriving, there are about a million displaced people living in tents or dilapidated buildings across the Gaza Strip” a Gaza resident told Israel Hayom. The winter began with heavy rains that flooded the area. Many people are suffering through no fault of their own.
“Hamas terrorists and criminals are taking advantage of the winter,” the resident said. “They sell tents at high prices and prevent anyone from trading in winter supplies, keeping the entire business to themselves. In my opinion, Hamas is using the suffering caused by the winter to raise donations through media campaigns , whether inside Gaza through mediaries, well-known influencers of Hamas-affiliated activists who run campaigns to raise millions of dollars from abroad.
“People in Gaza already know that Hamas is exploiting their suffering to make money,” he added. “We hope Israel will find a solution and establish ways for civilians to shop and receive tents free of charge, for example near the Yellow Line or through groups responsible for distributing aid, rather than through Hamas.”
Other residents reported that their Qatari-made tents flooded during the first rains and that they now need new tents better suited to winter conditions.
Palestinian social media activist Hamza al-Masri, who has 740,000 followers, also published an appeal on behalf of Beit Hanoun residents demanding transparency in the distribution of aid.
Meanwhile Hamas is using residents’ hardship to shift pressure onto Israel and international bodies. Hamas spokesman in Gaza Hazem Qassem accused the UN Security Council of “committing real crime through its silence over the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza resulting from the Israeli blockade.”
In an official statement, the terror group also blamed Israel and relevant international organizations for the humanitarian catastrophe. Hamas further singled out Nikolay Mladenov, a representative of the Board of Peace, accusing him of “failing in his duty to ensure the delivery of aid into Gaza.
IDF: Over 91,000 Tents, 8,200 Trucks Of Winter Supplies Enter Gaza
The IDF and the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) announced that more than 91,000 tents and over 8,200 trucks carrying winter supplies have entered the Gaza Strip as part of ongoing preparations for the winter months.
According to the IDF, the winter preparedness plan has been implemented in recent months in coordination with the Board of Peace and in cooperation with the United Nations, international humanitarian organizations, and donor countries.
The military emphasized that the humanitarian efforts are continuing despite Hamas’ refusal to disarm and its ongoing exploitation of civilian areas and humanitarian assistance for terrorist activities.
Since the implementation of the winter preparedness plan began, more than 91,000 tents have been brought into Gaza alongside over 8,200 trucks carrying tarpaulins, blankets, winter clothing, and other essential supplies intended to help residents cope with winter conditions.
In addition to providing shelter and winter equipment, the IDF and COGAT are advancing projects aimed at improving water and sanitation infrastructure throughout the Gaza Strip.
These projects include sewage removal, improvement to water distribution networks, and the entry of 12 sewage vacuum trucks for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
The military is also facilitating the delivery of medical supplies and equipment.
According to the statement the entry of 7,500 vaccine doses for UNICEF and three mobile clinics for the International Medical Corps (IMC) has been approved.
Additional assistance includes medications, medical equipment, and fuel intended for hospitals and medical facilities throughout Gaza.
The IDF and COGAT said they have approved more than 850 requests covering tens of thousands of trucks carrying winter-related humanitarian supplies, including shelter materials, water and sanitation equipment, and healthcare supplies.
However, the military noted that approximately half of the approved requests have yet to be fulfilled by the United Nations and international organizations.
According to the IDF, the organizations have not yet transferred the requested equipment into Gaza, partly because of logistical and budgetary difficulties unrelated to Israel.
The military also addressed concerns that certain humanitarian equipment could be diverted to Hamas and used to rebuild the terrorist organization’s capabilities.
According to the IDF, the UN and international organizations have acknowledged that they cannot guarantee that some of the equipment they are seeking to bring into Gaza will not reach Hamas.
The IDF and COGAT emphasized that they cannot disregard the risk of terrorist organizations exploiting humanitarian assistance to restore their personal capabilities.
As a result, the military is reviewing requests involving potentially sensitive equipment and examining alternatives that would meet humanitarian needs while reducing the possibility of the materials being used by Hamas.
The IDF stressed that its objective is to continue improving humanitarian conditions in Gaza without enabling terrorist organizations to rebuild their infrastructure.
“The IDF and COGAT will continue working to improve the humanitarian response and prepare the population for winter, while preventing these efforts from being exploited to rebuild the capabilities of terrorist organizations,” the military stated.
Israeli Defense Giant IWI, Dutch Defense Company Sign Netherlands Based Arms Production Deal
Israeli firearms maker Israel Weapon Industries (IWI) and Dutch defense company Artillerie Inrichtingen Armaments (AIA) plan to manufacture and assemble IWI weapon systems in the Netherlands, the companies said on Monday (9th).
IWI, known for the development of the Uzi submachine gun, is the main weapons supplier for the IDF and Israel Police.
Under the planned cooperation agreement, AIA will begin manufacturing and assembling the ARAD 5 rifle and the NEGEV UX in a factory that will be built in the Netherlands.
IWI will provide AIA with the underlying technology, product expertise, and manufacturing know-how, while AIA will establish the Dutch manufacturing operation and the infrastructure to deliver and support the products.
The planned cooperation between the two defense companies is expected to create the foundation for long-term domestic production, technical expertise, and lifecycle support in the Netherlands.
Assembly will start at AIA’s site in Tilburg, with the possibility of moving to a different location in the near future, the companies said.
Production will be phased, starting with assembly, followed by partial production in the Netherlands and eventually full domestic production, AIA said, without giving specific timeframes or investment figures.
AIA added that the Dutch government was not involved in the agreement.
“The future of defense manufacturing will be shaped by the ability to turn proven technology into operational capability where it is needed,” said SK Group’s Vice Chairman Ronen Hamudot. “We see this cooperation as an opportunity to bring our decades of expertise developing and manufacturing weapon platforms for demanding operational environments into a new industrial setting.”
“Our focus remains on delivering proven, reliable solutions while building the manufacturing relationships needed to serve defense and security customers over the long term.”
AIA CEO Gerard Zondervan emphasized that “A strong Dutch industrial base is fundamental to national security.”
“The Netherlands needs the ability to manufacture, develop expertise and support the defense systems on which its security depends,” Zondervan said. “This cooperation is a step toward a future in which Dutch industry plays a greater role in delivering the defense capabilities our country needs.”
The announcement of the agreement comes a day after 200,000 people gathered in Amsterdam to protest the Dutch government’s policy toward Israel in the latest of a series of “red line” demonstrations in which participants dress in red to form a line against alleged war crimes against Palestinians.
The red line protests began in May 2025, organized by the Dutch NGO Oxfam Novib, and the first one drew around 100,000 participants. Since then, the movement has grown. Thirteen organizations backed Sunday’s (8th) gathering, including Oxfam Novib, Amnesty International, and Save the Children, according to the Dutch English- language news outlet NL Times.
Sunday’s protest was the fourth red line demonstration, according to ML Times, which reported that an estimated 250,000 people took part in the previous one in October 2025.
Participants are demanding that the Dutch government take stronger action against Israel.
