Israel grapples with ultra-Orthodox draft problem

In Israel on 17 August 2026, Kushner met Netanyahu on the next phase of Trump's Gaza plan. Bloomberg reported they agreed that Hamas would disarm before the IDF leaves Gaza, and Netanyahu's office said agreement was reached on disarming Hamas before Gaza's reconstruction. The US and Israel agreed to establish a conflict-resolution mechanism in Gaza, and a US general is to oversee the transfer of Hamas weapons. Hamas approved the roadmap for the ceasefire's second phase and urged Israel to fulfil its commitments.

Smotrich said the US and Board of Peace plan is 'incompatible' with Israel's goals, and Ben-Gvir called for more people to be killed in Gaza. In Israeli politics, a poll showed the anti-Netanyahu bloc widening its lead but still without a majority without Arab parties. Trump said he should stay out of the Israeli election but 'may endorse' someone.