Netanyahu forms new Israel govt
Veteran leader Benjamin Netanyahu announced that he had formed a new Israeli government, returning to power as the head of the most right-wing coalition in Israel's history.
Following his November 1 election win, Netanyahu secured a mandate to form a government backed by ultra-Orthodox Jewish parties and an extreme-right bloc. That result left him poised to end Israel's unprecedented era of political gridlock that forced five elections in less than four years.
Netanyahu, who is fighting corruption allegations in court, has already served as premier longer than anyone in Israeli history, including a 1996 to 1999 stint and a record 12-year tenure from 2009 to 2021.
His mandate to conclude coalition talks had been set to expire at midnight Wednesday. Minutes before the deadline, he informed President Isaac Herzog by phone that he had "been able to establish a government," a statement from Netanyahu's office said.
Palestinian militant killed
Israeli troops shot dead a Palestinian militant during an incursion into the West Bank city of Nablus early yesterday, Palestinian sources said. The Palestinian health ministry said Ahmed Atef Daraghmeh, 23, a footballer from the nearby town of Tulkarem, sustained bullet wounds to the back and foot. Islamist group Hamas said he was a member of its military wing.
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