Overview

• Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appointed Maj. Gen. David Zini as the new head of the Shin Bet, despite a Supreme Court ruling barring the move due to a conflict of interest.
• Zini, an active-duty general with limited intelligence experience, has drawn criticism for reportedly opposing hostage deals, calling the Gaza conflict 'a forever war.'
• The families of Israeli hostages in Gaza have condemned Zini's appointment, accusing the government of prioritizing military operations over securing their loved ones' release.
• Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara criticized the appointment process as flawed and warned Netanyahu acted in defiance of legal guidance.
• Protests erupted across Israel, with demonstrators and hostage families demanding the government return to negotiations and uphold democratic norms.