How it feels to leave Israel when an attack is coming and every airline is canceling flights: With an Iran assault possibly imminent, our columnist Aviya Kushner cut short her research trip to Israel and made plans to return home to Chicago (by way of a layover in Paris). The in-flight entertainment was not the latest blockbuster, but a lesson in belief, mourning and prayer. Read her essay ➤
The warfront… Yahya Sinwar, the mastermind behind the attack on Israel and the highest-ranking leader of Hamas, has been selected to lead Hamas' political bureau moving forward. He replaces Ismail Haniyeh, who was assassinated last week in Tehran. Israel is believed to be behind the killing, but has not taken responsibility for it.
Haniyeh, who lived comfortably in exile in Qatar and engaged with world leaders, was viewed as more open to ceasefire discussions. Hostage negotiations have been put on hold as Israel braces for a retaliatory strike from Iran.
Israel confirmed that Bilha Inon, 75, who had been officially listed as missing since Oct. 7, was killed that day alongside her husband, Yakov Inon, 78. Until Tuesday, Bilha was considered to be the last Israeli still missing since the attack.
Palestinian prisoners have been abused while in Israeli detention centers, according to a new report from a human rights group.
Dozens of Haredim, protesting new orders to draft them into the army, stormed an Israeli army base Tuesday. It was reminiscent of a similar incident last week, which our senior columnist, Rob Eshman, called “a particularly dangerous form of far-right patriotism.”
Elsewhere… Ambassadors from Western countries, including the U.S., will not attend a ceremony marking the 79th anniversary of the bombing of Nagasaki. The decision follows the exclusion of Israel from the event.
Organizers of an international Frisbee tournament in Belgium have barred the Israeli team from participating. The decision comes amid security concerns stemming from ongoing anti-Israel protests. | 