Beirut Wire

Priest Samir Daou Found Murdered in Byblos as Syrian Worker Emerges as Main Suspect Father Samir Daou, a Maronite priest serving the villages of Hsoun and Ferhet in the Byblos district, was found murdered Thursday inside his house in Ain Jrein, a day after he was reported missing. Investigators are reportedly focusing on a Syrian worker who had accompanied the priest to harvest olives before disappearing. Surveillance footage allegedly captured the worker driving the priest’s vehicle, which was later reportedly discovered abandoned in Yahchouch, Keserwan. The priest’s mobile phone was also reportedly missing, raising suspicions that robbery may have been the motive. Security forces have collected forensic evidence and are working to establish the circumstances surrounding the killing. No arrest or official confirmation of the suspect’s identity or motive has been announced. The investigation remains ongoing.

Israeli media: Clashes erupted between Israeli police and ultra-Orthodox protesters on Highway 4 after demonstrators blocked the road over the arrest of a man accused of evading military service.

European Energy Commissioner: We face a difficult winter due to the situation in the Middle East, which means we will face high energy prices.

Reuters: Germany issues Travel warning for Syria.

Israeli Election Committee: Counting of all ballot envelopes completed.

With 97.3% of votes counted in Israel’s 26th Knesset elections, the results show Netanyahu’s bloc securing 53 seats, compared with 48 for the change bloc and 19 for the Arab parties.

Qatar’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson: The State of Qatar categorically denies allegations of interference in Israel’s elections.

Air France: Flights to and from Riyadh suspended until December 12 and to and from Dubai until November 7.

Israeli Elections Committee: The Knesset elections were conducted in accordance with the law, and there is no basis for claims regarding a systematic compromise of their integrity.

Did Qatar attempt to rig the Israeli elections?

The Jerusalem Post: Shin Bet is investigating suspected foreign funding aimed at influencing Arab voter turnout in Israel’s elections, with allegations involving foreign actors potentially including Qatar and Turkey. The investigation was ordered by Central Elections Committee Chairman Judge Noam Solberg.

Israel Hayom reports that the head of Shin Bet met with Netanyahu yesterday to present security intelligence concerning suspected election interference. Meanwhile, Maariv reports that Likud is preparing a petition to annul voting results at polling stations where electoral irregularities are proven to have occurred.

Haaretz: Nearly 94% of the votes in the Knesset elections have been counted, with no change in the results.

It seems Qassem insists on losing what’s left of southern Lebanon. beirutwire.com/whose-interes…

Israeli Central Elections Committee Chairman Solberg has instructed Zini to investigate serious allegations of foreign funding for a campaign aimed at influencing Israel’s elections. The allegations involve large sums of money reportedly channeled from Arab sources to increase voter turnout in Arab communities through illegal means.

Israel’s Channel 12: Netanyahu’s Likud party leads the count of double-envelope ballots, with 29,253 counted out of more than 400,000.