Trump Endorses Netanyahu; Teen Killed by Hezbollah Bomb on School Hike; Israel Daily News; Mon. Oct 19, 2026

With Israel’s October 27 election just days away, the political landscape is shifting. President Donald Trump has endorsed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Benny Gantz is withdrawing from the race, and opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot’s Yashar party is challenging Likud in a tight contest.

In this episode of Israel Daily News with Shanna Fuld, we break down the latest developments shaping Israeli politics and security.

IN THIS EPISODE:

Trump endorses Netanyahu: Why the U.S. president reversed his earlier position and what his endorsement could mean for Israel’s election.Benny Gantz withdraws: Blue and White is exiting the race after polls indicated the party was unlikely to cross the electoral threshold.Israel’s election race: Yashar, Likud, coalition negotiations, and the challenge of reaching the 61 seats needed to form a government.Settler violence in the West Bank: Israeli police arrest 10 suspects following attacks that included Palestinian olive harvesters, American photojournalist Heidi Levine, and others. We examine the reported incidents and international response.A deadly explosion on a school hike: A teenage student was killed and others injured in an explosion near Israel’s northern border. The IDF’s initial investigation pointed to a suspected unexploded Hezbollah cluster munition.Questions surrounding October 7: A report about a warning allegedly delivered by former Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar to Netanyahu weeks before the Hamas-led attack, alongside the defamation lawsuit between the two.Iran and regional security: What Netanyahu and Trump have said about possible threats as Israelis prepare to vote.Israel and Syria: Netanyahu’s confirmation of a conversation with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa, a potential sign of changing regional dynamics.

Israel’s election, security challenges, and international relationships are developing quickly. Israel Daily News brings you the reporting and context you need to follow the stories shaping the country.

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Timestamps:
00:00 Benny Gantz Withdraws From Israel’s Election
01:00 What Gantz’s Exit Means for Voters
02:00 Arrests Following Settler Violence in the West Bank
03:00 Heidi Levine Attacked While Covering the Olive Harvest
04:00 The Assault on Levine and Her Injuries
05:00 Investigation and International Condemnation
06:00 Fleur Hassan-Nahoum Attacked; Trump Endorses Netanyahu
07:00 Trump’s Endorsement and Israel’s Election Race
08:00 Polls, Coalition Politics and the 61-Seat Threshold
09:00 Netanyahu, Ben-Gvir and Gadi Eisenkot’s Campaign
10:00 Teen Killed in Suspected Hezbollah Munition Explosion
11:00 Safety Warnings and a Report on October 7
12:00 Reported Warning to Netanyahu Before October 7
13:00 October 7 Accountability and the Iran Threat
14:00 Security Concerns and Supporting Independent Journalism
15:00 Netanyahu Confirms Conversation With Syrian President
16:00 What Israel-Syria Contacts Could Mean for the Region
17:00 Newsletter, Team Credits and Sign-Off

#BennyGantz #GadiEisenkot #IsraeliPolitics #Hezbollah #WestBank #MiddleEastNews #October7 #IsraelSyria
 

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