Netanyahu Reports Hezbollah Strike Amid Contested Likud Primaries

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that a Hezbollah drone strike in Lebanon severely wounded three Israel Defense Forces soldiers on Friday night. Netanyahu delivered the announcement in English to signal the gravity of the ceasefire violation to the United States administration.

Simultaneously, the Likud party is conducting highly competitive primaries involving more than 140,000 registered members to determine its Knesset slate for the October 27 general election. The process is marked by internal friction after the Likud Central Committee granted Netanyahu the authority to determine eight slots within the first 30 positions on the list. He has already reserved positions for businessman Oren Dobronsky and ministers Israel Katz, Gideon Sa’ar, and Haim Katz.

Internal reactions to the reserved slots are divided. MK Amit Halevi described the primaries as a democratic celebration, while MK Tally Gotliv condemned the move as one that mocks party voters. The political stakes are high, as current polling suggests Likud may only win 22 seats despite having approximately 40 ministers and MKs. Additionally, Gadi Eisenkot's Yashar party currently holds a four-seat lead over Likud in the polls, though neither bloc is projected to hold a Knesset majority.