*Report: Hamas Tunnel Work Caused Deadly Gaza Building Collapse*
A residential building in western Gaza City collapsed, leaving dozens dead, wounded or missing beneath the rubble.
Gazan sources initially blamed Israel for the collapse, while the IDF denied striking the building.
Israeli researcher Or Fialkov reports that Hamas had been attempting to restore a tunnel running beneath the building and that the underground work caused the structure to collapse.
The claim regarding the Hamas tunnel has not been independently verified.
*Iran Stages Massive “313,000” Mobilization Exercise in Tehran*
Iran held a massive state-organized mobilization exercise in Tehran on Friday under its “Janfada” campaign.
Organizers said the event was designed for 313,000 participants, with large formations marching through central Tehran and military equipment, including drones, put on display.
Iranian authorities presented the exercise as a demonstration of national readiness and the ability to mobilize civilians for defense.
The reported participation figures have not been independently verified.
*Iran Moves to Form 1,000 Volunteer Defense Battalions*
Iran is moving ahead with plans to organize 1,000 battalions under its nationwide “Janfada” mobilization campaign.
Campaign officials claim more than 31 million people have registered for the initiative.
The volunteer formations are expected to receive training for defense and security roles, while Iranian officials say more advanced training will cover ground, air and naval fields.
The registration figures are Iranian government claims and have not been independently verified.
*US Again Blocks Mahmoud Abbas From Attending UN General Assembly*
The United States has denied Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas a visa to attend next week’s UN General Assembly in New York for the second consecutive year.
The UN General Assembly has voted to allow Abbas to deliver a prerecorded video address instead.
JCFA senior researcher Yoni Ben Menachem said appearing remotely would significantly reduce Abbas’ international platform, arguing that a video speech does not carry the same impact as appearing in person at the UN podium.
*BALAD Chairman Responds to Petition Seeking to Bar His Candidacy*
BALAD chairman Sami Abu Shehadeh has asked Israel’s Central Elections Committee to reject a petition seeking to disqualify him from running in the upcoming Knesset election.
The petition, filed by Otzma Yehudit, cites an article Abu Shehadeh published on October 8, 2023, a day after the Hamas-led October 7 massacre.
In his response, Abu Shehadeh said the article was written before the full scale of the atrocities had become clear. He acknowledged that, in retrospect, the article’s failure to address the crimes committed on October 7 was wrong.
The Central Elections Committee will decide on the petition.
*IDF: 29 Hamas and Islamic Jihad Terrorists Eliminated in Gaza Over Three Weeks*
The IDF says it eliminated 29 Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorists across the Gaza Strip over the past three weeks.
Eight were eliminated during the past week, including senior Hamas commanders from the Jabalia, Rafah and Khan Younis formations.
According to the IDF, several of those eliminated participated in the October 7 massacre or were involved in planning attacks against Israeli civilians and IDF troops.
*Suicide Car Bomb Attack at Pakistan Police Compound Kills at Least 16*
At least 16 people were killed and 57 wounded in a suicide car bombing at a police compound in Kohat, northwestern Pakistan.
The attacker rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into the compound’s outer wall while police officers and their families were attending Friday prayers at a mosque inside.
Gunmen accompanying the bomber then opened fire, triggering a firefight with police. Authorities said all seven attackers were killed.
Five police officers were among those killed. No group has claimed responsibility.
*Senior Members of Tehran’s Jewish Community Join Pro-Regime Rally*
Senior members of Tehran’s Jewish community took part Friday in Iran’s state-organized “Sacrifice for Iran” rally.
Their appearance comes under circumstances in which Iran’s tiny Jewish community operates under intense scrutiny from the Islamic Republic.
While there is no evidence that the individuals seen at the rally were specifically forced to attend, the consequences of publicly refusing to participate in a major pro-regime event could be significant for members of a vulnerable religious minority in Iran.
*Unidentified Drones Fly Over Houthi-Held Sana’a Overnight*
Unidentified drones were spotted over Yemen’s Houthi-held capital Sana’a overnight and into Friday morning.
Residents reported heavy drone activity over several neighborhoods, including the Al-Jaraf area, as Houthi air defenses opened fire in an attempt to intercept the aircraft.
Explosions and sustained anti-aircraft fire were heard across parts of the capital.
*US Shifting MQ-9 Reaper Drones From Africa Toward South America*
The US military is preparing to redeploy MQ-9 Reaper drones from Africa to US Southern Command as part of a wider military buildup in the region, according to CNN.
The plans include expanded cooperation with Ecuador and Colombia, with US officials preparing for counternarcotics and counterterrorism operations.
The move would shift additional American surveillance and strike capabilities into the region.
*Iran Says It Struck Togo-Flagged Tanker in Strait of Hormuz*
Iran’s IRGC Navy says it struck the Togo-flagged oil tanker Trend after the vessel attempted what Tehran described as an “unauthorized passage” through the Strait of Hormuz.
According to the IRGC, the tanker caught fire and was forced to stop. Iran warned that other vessels attempting unauthorized passage could also be targeted.
The circumstances of the strike have not been independently verified.
*IDF Continues Systematic Demolitions in Hezbollah Stronghold of Al-Mansouri*
The IDF is continuing operations in Al-Mansouri in southern Lebanon, carrying out controlled demolitions and strikes against structures in the village.
The operation is part of ongoing Israeli military activity against Hezbollah infrastructure in southern Lebanon.
*17-Year-Old Yeshiva Student Run Over and Killed After Confrontation in Hadera*
A 17-year-old yeshiva student was run over and killed overnight at the Mul HaHof Village shopping complex in Hadera.
According to police, the incident began with a confrontation before the teenager was struck by a vehicle. The driver was subsequently shot and lightly wounded.
Police are investigating the incident as a suspected criminal killing and say that, at this stage, there is no suspicion of a terrorist attack.
*U.S. Approves Visas For Iranian Leaders To Attend UN General Assembly*
The Trump administration has approved visas for Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and other members of Iran’s delegation to attend next week’s UN General Assembly in New York, the Associated Press reports.
The State Department said the delegation will face travel restrictions and limits on purchases of luxury and other goods. The Iranian delegation is expected to be smaller than last year’s.
A day after the fight over the change bloc's PM candidate turned public, Yashar! Chairman Gadi Eisenkot is continuing to position himself as the bloc's leader.
At a memorial race for fallen Druze soldiers, he said: "Faced with attempts to divide us - we will respond with partnership."
Yesterday he slammed Bennett and Lieberman for refusing to agree in advance on how the PM candidate will be chosen, stating: "There is no such thing as a Prime Minister with 8 mandates."
