Today's news in pictures - Thursday, October 29, 2026

As the Israeli elections conclude, the Middle East remains closely watching the political developments, but the region's stance on who wins remains complex. While some countries like Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Jordan, Turkey, and Iran maintain their policies and interests independently of Israel's elections, the impact of the next Israeli government on regional affairs is still noteworthy.

Five key issues illustrate how the Middle East perceives the election outcome:

1. Gaza: The US-backed Board of Peace aims for a new peace concept for Gaza's future, but challenges persist regarding reconstruction, Hamas disarmament, security arrangements and ceasefire implementation. Countries including Egypt, Qatar, and others hope for progress under a new government, but the fundamental challenges remain regardless of who leads Israel.

2. The Abraham Accords and normalization: Signed in 2020, these accords marked a shift in the Gulf, particularly in countries like the UAE, Bahrain, and Morocco, which normalized relations with Israel. Saudi Arabia, however, remains cautious, prioritizing its own regional diplomacy and the Palestinian issue. Israel's next government could influence the discussions, but it is unlikely to change Saudi Arabia's conditions.

3. Iran's perspective: Iran is observing the Israeli elections, but Tehran is likely to approach the situation cautiously. Iran knows that Israel's current Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has previously threatened Iran with a nuclear strike, and that the US administration shared a similar stance. Iran's decisions will continue to be influenced by the US policies, including sanctions, military deployments, and confrontation possibilities.

4. Turkey's influence: Turkey's growing role in Syria following the fall of the Assad regime has introduced new competition and potential areas of conflict. Ankara, like Israel, has a right-wing leader, and political shifts could ease tensions but won't eliminate them entirely.

5. The US role: The US administration, particularly its stance on the Trump administration and its endorsement of Netanyahu, has significantly impacted Israel's relations with the Middle East. Regional governments are keeping a close watch on Washington's policies, including sanctions, military deployments, and the prospect of further confrontation.