Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sparks a political storm ahead of Israel's election after sharing an AI-generated image depicting a nuclear explosion over Tel Aviv and warning of a potential “second Holocaust” if Israel fails to confront Iran's nuclear ambitions. Netanyahu argues that Iran poses an existential threat to Israel and urges voters to focus on national security. Opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot hits back, accusing Netanyahu of fear-mongering ahead of the vote. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump backs Netanyahu but offers a contrasting assessment of Iran's nuclear sites, saying there is “not much going on” there.

Israel has introduced sweeping new restrictions on foreign airline crews, barring pilots and cabin crew holding nationalities from 31 countries from operating flights to the country. The restrictions reportedly include Pakistan, Iran, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Tunisia and Niger, raising fresh questions over international aviation, airline compliance and the future of flights to and from Tel Aviv. Air France has agreed to comply with Israel’s new aviation rules, which require foreign airlines to adhere to nationality-based restrictions for crew members operating flights to Israel. WATCH