“The Israeli Druze are now trying to use that and urge the Israeli government to protect fellow Druze in Syria,” he said, explaining, in part, the justification for Israel’s strikes on Syria, where the Druze community has traditionally been anti-Israel, even as some leaders grow closer to Israel.

The plots have largely preyed on economically vulnerable Israelis with relatively weak social ties. In one high-profile case, police arrested two young men in Tiberias on June 15, according to the Times of Israel. The two were each promised $60,000 to assassinate a top Israeli scientist.

For weeks, Israel has engaged in back-channel talks over a diplomatic agreement with the Syrian government. Its strikes on Damascus this week highlight a lack of strategic clarity.

US intelligence sources confirm to CBS News that Iranian President Pezeshkian was injured during an Israeli strike last month, corroborating Iranian state media reports.

In Syria, violence continued between rival factions even after a ceasefire deal. Government troops withdrew overnight from a region as Israel said it would not allow Syrian forces south of Damascus, extending its attempted control of the area.

The Israeli leader has been alienating his allies and is spiraling toward early elections.

Several smaller countries are taking a stand against Israel’s conduct of the war in Gaza. Critics are skeptical about their impact, but others see the pressure as a first step in a global shift.

The Albanese government claimed it had nothing to do with a $900 million contract with Israeli arms manufacturer Elbit Systems. It in fact directly signed it and closely vetted all stages of its engagement.

Slovenia declared two far-right Israeli cabinet ministers, Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, persona non grata on Thursday, the first European Union country to do so, Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon said.