LiveLive Updates July 28, 2026Share to FacebookShare to XArticle printing is available to subscribers onlyPrint in a simple, ad-free formatSubscribeComments: Zen reading is available to subscribers onlyAd-free and in a comfortable reading formatSubscribeJuly 28, 2026UpdatesAttorney General’s office says Netanyahu-backed draft evader law conflicts with Israel’s Jewish, democratic valuesThe office of Israel's attorney general told the High Court of Justice on Tuesday that a law preventing the arrest of ultra-Orthodox draft evaders is incompatible with the country's values as a Jewish and democratic state.Speaking before an expanded panel of nine justices, attorney Aner Hellman argued that suspending enforcement against draft evaders during wartime was especially problematic while reservists and active-duty troops were serving. Justice Yael Willner. Credit: Olivier FitoussiJustice Yael Willner.Credit: Olivier FitoussiJustice Yael Willner questioned the relevance of the war, asking whether discrimination would not exist in peacetime. Hellman said the law was temporary and would apply for six months, while Willner responded that criminal enforcement "is not relevant to whether there is a war or not."The law was passed by the Knesset earlier this month despite objections from the attorney general and the Israeli military's chief of staff. The legislation freezes arrests and enforcement actions against ultra-Orthodox yeshiva students subject to military service until November 30. Israeli authorities demolish Palestinian structures after deadly West Bank clashesIsrael's governing body in the West Bank demolished several Palestinian structures in the northern West Bank following clashes in the village of Tell on Friday that left two Israelis and four Palestinians dead. An Israeli military excavator demolishes a structure in the northern West Bank, Tuesday. Credit: The Civil Administration An Israeli military excavator demolishes a structure in the northern West Bank, Tuesday. Credit: The Civil Administration However, some of the structures demolished by the Civil Administration are not located within the village boundary but are in areas unrelated to the incident.Far-right Finance Minister and Minister in the Defense Ministry Bezalel Smotrich said the demolitions were symbolic."We are exacting a price on the ground and preventing the establishment of a Palestinian terrorist state in the heart of the country," he said in a statement.Report: Iran seeks to pressure Trump into conflict-ending deal before U.S. midterm elections Vessels at the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, Sunday. Credit: Stringer/ReutersVessels at the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, Sunday. Credit: Stringer/ReutersIranian leaders are seeking a comprehensive deal with the United States to end the conflict before November's U.S. midterm elections, believing President Donald Trump would be more vulnerable to pressure, an Iranian diplomat told The Wall Street Journal on Monday.According to the report, the pause in fighting has allowed Iran and Oman to advance efforts toward a short-term agreement that would allow the resumption of traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. Talks between the sides continued Monday, the report said.The goal of the Iran-Oman negotiations is to establish an agreed-upon route for transit through the strait, according to the report.The Journal reported that Oman had angered Iran by allowing the U.S. to guide ships through the strait along a route adjacent to the Omani coast, prompting Iran to attack vessels transiting the waterway.The U.S. then responded by launching a 13-night bombing campaign against Iranian military targets. Iran's foreign minister discusses security of Strait of Hormuz with Saudi, Omani counterpartsIran's ‌foreign minister discussed issues ‌related to the security of ⁠the Strait of ⁠Hormuz in separate phone calls with his Saudi and Omani counterparts on Monday evening, according ‌to a statement published ‌on his Telegram channel on Tuesday. Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi Credit: Pierre Albouy/Reuters Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas AraghchiCredit: Pierre Albouy/Reuters The statement said Abbas Araghchi "discussed the latest bilateral and regional developments, and emphasized the need to strengthen cooperation and ⁠advance joint diplomatic efforts to establish stability in the ‌region."The ⁠call between Araghchi and his Saudi counterpart, Faisal bin Farhan, came after ⁠Saudi Arabia said it shot down drones launched at the kingdom ‌by Iran-affiliated groups in Iraq.Channel 12 News office entrance shattered in second attack this monthA door at the entrance to Channel 12 News' Tel Aviv offices was shattered Tuesday, the second such incident this month. A door at the entrance to Channel 12 News' Tel Aviv offices after it was shattered Tuesday.A door at the entrance to Channel 12 News' Tel Aviv offices after it was shattered Tuesday.In a statement, Channel 12 News described the incident as a "real alarm," and urged the Israeli government and Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi to "stop their unrestrained, inflammatory attacks against the free press, which are also leading to serious acts of violence." The Israel Police said it was investigating the incident. In a statement, police said officers responding to the scene collected evidence and were searching for suspects.Staff and journalists at Channel 13 News condemned the attack and called on police to bring the suspects to justice. "An attack on one news organization is an attack on the entire Israeli press and on the foundations of democracy," the statement said. A masked vandal smashes the entrance door of the Haaretz offices in Tel Aviv, June. Credit: CCTVA masked vandal smashes the entrance door of the Haaretz offices in Tel Aviv, June. Credit: CCTVThe incident comes as Israeli news outlets and journalists face increasing threats and intimidation. In early July, a masked assailant threw a stone through the entrance of Channel 12 News' offices. Three days later, the entrance door to Haaretz's offices in Tel Aviv was smashed by a masked vandal. Police Commissioner Danny Levy condemned the attacks Thursday, two weeks after they occurred, and ordered officers to complete their investigation and bring those responsible to justice."We will not allow any harm to any media outlet or to journalists carrying out their work," Levy said. In a statement, police added that they would "act decisively against any attempt to harm media organizations or the rule of law."A biker rides past a graffiti text found in Tel Aviv inciting against Israeli television broadcasters 11, 12 and 13, in June. Credit: Hadas ParushA biker rides past a graffiti text found in Tel Aviv inciting against Israeli television broadcasters 11, 12 and 13, in June. Credit: Hadas ParushIn June, graffiti containing threats and incitement targeting Israel's three main television channels and several prominent journalists was discovered in Tel Aviv, with some slogans sprayed near Channel 12 News offices and near the home of a senior Channel 13 News reporter. Iran executes two men over charges related to January protests‌Iran ‌executed two ⁠men over charges ⁠related to nationwide protests in January, the Judiciary's Mizan News ‌Agency reported ‌Tuesday.Mizan identified the individuals as Abolfazl Sepahi Badjani and Amirhossein Safari ⁠Hosseinabadi and said they ‌were charged with ‌taking part in the killing of ⁠security force members. IDF: Drone intercepted near Jordan border may have been launched from IraqThe Israeli military said Monday it intercepted a drone near the Jordanian border. The drone did not cross into Israeli territory, the IDF said, adding that it assessed the drone had been launched from Iraq.No sirens were sounded during the incident, which the military said was in accordance with standard protocol.⁠Saudi Arabia said later Tuesday it shot down drones launched at the kingdom ‌by Iran-affiliated groups in Iraq.The incident follows two other IDF drone interceptions at the border Monday.On Wednesday, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency recommended airlines avoid operating in Jordanian airspace at all altitudes and flight levels, citing the regional security situation. The advisory is in effect through August 31.IDF: Settlers stone Palestinians near Eli; driver loses control of car, hitting teenagerIsraeli settlers threw stones and blocked Palestinian vehicles on Route 60 near the West Bank settlement of Eli, the IDF said on Monday night.As a result of the stone-throwing, a driver lost control of his vehicle and hit a 17-year-old youth, who was moderately injured, according to Magen David Adom.Damage from stones thrown at a vehicle in the West Bank on Monday night. Credit: Used in accordance with Section 27A of the Copyright LawDamage from stones thrown at a vehicle in the West Bank on Monday night. Credit: Used in accordance with Section 27A of the Copyright LawIn the NewsReport: Torah Scrolls Stolen in Break-in at Synagogue Near ParisBoy George Defends Israel's post-October 7 Gaza War in New SongIsrael's Channel 12 News Entry Door Shattered, Threatening Letter Left at SceneLikud Vote Allows Netanyahu to Secure Top Slots on Party's Knesset SlateGov't Skips Top Court Hearing on Haredi Evasion Law as Justices Set to Nix ItRemembering and rebuilding two years laterICYMIIsrael's Far Right Is Repeating the Sin That Brought Down the TempleAl Jazeera Reportedly Ends Contracts of Over 20 Gazan JournalistsWith the West Bank Primed to Explode, Israel's Government Sees an OpportunityTwo Israelis, Four Palestinians Killed in Clash After Settlers Enter TownBiden Officials Now Regret What They Let Israel Do in Gaza. Does It Matter?These Young Israelis Are Calling for the Zionist Left to Confront the Occupation