Middle East tensions escalate with attacks on Saudi infrastructure and Israeli arrests

An airport in Saudi Arabia was hit in an attack that killed one person and wounded eight, according to local sources. King Fahd International Airport in Dammam subsequently reopened following the incident. The same night, seven ships were struck in waters near the Strait of Hormuz according to Israeli sources, suffering damage from mines, missiles and drones—marking the heaviest toll in a single night since operations in the sector began.

In the West Bank, five Italian activists were detained by Israeli authorities while present in the village of al-Bweib south of Hebron, accompanying Palestinian farmers during olive harvest. The activists were taken to a police station, according to reports. Italy's Foreign Ministry requested clarification from Israel and the release of its nationals, describing the operation as part of Israeli military activity against volunteers engaged in harvesting.

A prolonged firefight in Hebron left two Palestinians dead and five Israelis wounded, according to the Israeli army. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that Israel is preparing a total closure of the West Bank, stating that this prevented a large-scale attack.

On the diplomatic and media front, the U.S. administration is developing plans for strikes against Iran together with Israel following the midterm elections, according to the New York Times. President Trump declared instead that Tehran fabricates attacks to drive up oil prices. Hamas threatened a new operation following the events of October 7th.

According to Axios, dozens of Israeli fighter jets flew over the Iranian border between Syria and Iraq. Meanwhile, 160 instances of olive theft by settlers were documented in the West Bank according to local sources.

The situation in the region remains marked by multiple flashpoints of tension, with ongoing clashes, Israeli security operations and international reactions to various reported incidents.