Daniel Estrin

Israeli anti-war protesters demonstrated outside the defense expo.

Daniel Estrin, NPR News, Tel Aviv.

Well, it's really a pivotal moment for him.

He's facing an election year coming up next year.

He's facing a lot of discontent at home.

There are calls in Israel to launch an official inquiry to hold him accountable for the security failures of the Hamas attack, October 7th, 2023.

And at the same time, his corruption trial has shifted into higher gear.

What he's interested in is staying in power, and if he is convicted of bribery and the other charges, it could mean the end of his political career.

This is really an issue that is polarizing the country.

There's a new poll out today that shows about half of Israelis who were questioned do not support a pardon for Netanyahu, and the other half either does support a pardon or doesn't know.

Gaza's health ministry says two young Palestinian boys about 9 and 10 years old were killed in an Israeli drone strike Saturday morning when they crossed into the Israeli-controlled area of Gaza.

A Gaza health ministry spokesman told NPR the Israeli-controlled zone is not clearly marked in the area.

Israel's military called them suspects posing an immediate threat to soldiers.

The military declined comment on the victims being children.

More than 350 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli strikes since a ceasefire was declared last month.

It's unclear when the next steps in the ceasefire will take place, including a call for Hamas to lay down its weapons,

and an international force to enter Gaza.

Daniel Estrin, NPR News, Tel Aviv.

In a surprise move, Netanyahu is asking Israel's President Isaac Herzog for a formal pardon to end the criminal proceedings against him.

Netanyahu is charged with accepting bribes and pursuing deals with media moguls for positive press coverage.