Israel's parliament has elected a lawyer closely associated with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to serve as the country's state watchdog, a move that has intensified debate over judicial independence, government accountability and political influence in Israel.

A chaotic and highly controversial vote in Israel's Knesset has ended with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s personal lawyer, Michael Rabello, being elected as the nation's next state comptroller. The independent government watchdog role is vital to holding Israeli leadership accountable, making the appointment of a close Netanyahu ally a major flashpoint.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is facing a fierce political backlash at home after U.S. President Donald Trump intervened to halt planned Israeli airstrikes against Hezbollah in Beirut, shaking Netanyahu's political standing ahead of a crucial election.

On Monday, US President Donald Trump stated that Israel and Hezbollah had agreed to cease hostilities, and he noted that talks with Iran were progressing quickly after previously appearing stalled due to Israel’s Lebanon offensive.

Hamas said on Friday that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's declaration that his country would expand its area of control in Gaza was a dangerous escalation, as European states and residents of the Palestinian territory also voiced alarm at the plan.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says that he directed the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to increase control of Gaza to 70%.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Thursday that his military has crossed the strategic Litani River in southern Lebanon. The move marks a significant escalation, pushing Israeli troops beyond the previously declared boundaries of their ground offensive.