Netanyahu Still Struggling to Form Government as Deadline Approaches
Binyamin Netanyahu’s chance to form a government expires at midnight. If he does not succeed, Israel’s President will either ask a different parliament member (most likely the head of the opposition Zionist Union chief Isaac Herzog) to try to form a government or call a new election. Most Israeli media said they believed Netanyahu would cobble together the necessary 61 seats out of 120 before the deadline by signing an agreement with Naftali Bennett’s Jewish Home party, who brings his faction of 8 Knesset members. Bennett is insisting on his party receiving the Justice Ministry instead of the Education Ministry which Netanyahu had promised. It is also possible that Bennett will become Foreign Minister, after the incumbent, hardliner Avigdor Lieberman, announced he is resigning and taking his six seat faction with him. The deadline is a chance for Bennett, who was Netanyahu’s chief of staff, to make his former boss sweat. Israeli media have reported tensions between the two men on a range of issues.
Report: Foreign Warplanes Strike Sudan
Arab media outlets are reporting that “foreign planes” hit a target in the capital state of Khartoum. Witnesses said they heard explosion near military bases and that a number of houses were shaking. The government of Sudan denied the report, saying that it had “intercepted a suspicious object.” In the past Israel has reportedly struck targets such as an ammunition warehouse that reportedly held weapons that were due to be shipped to Hizbullah in Lebanon.
Yemeni Rebels Fire into Saudi Arabia
Yemen’s rebels fired rockets and mortars into Saudi Arabia, killing at least three people and reportedly capturing five soldiers. The attack was a demonstration showing that despite weeks of Saudi-led airstrikes that have killed hundreds of people, the insurgents are still able to launch assaults. Saudi Arabia’s national airline cancelled flights into the area affected by the attacks. It is believed to be the first time the Houthi rebels, supported by Iran, have targeted a civilian area in Saudi Arabia.
Hizbullah Leader Threatens New Attack
Hizbullah leader Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah said his fighters will launch an attack inside Syria against insurgents linked to Al-Qa’ida in the mountainous region near the countries border. Local media speculate the attack in the Qalamoun area could start within days.
Today’s edition of Mideast Daily News was written by Linda Gradstein.