Day 962: 36 Days to Supreme Court July 1 Accountability Deadline — Knesset Prepares First Plenum Reading of Kallner Inquiry Bill; Phase Two Ceasefire Deadlock Continues; NILI Campaign Ongoing

On May 26, 2026 (Day 962 / Ceasefire Day 229), Israel's October 7 accountability clock continued its countdown to the Israeli Supreme Court's July 1, 2026 constitutional hard deadline — 36 days remaining — for the government to present a credible investigation framework. The High Court of Justice had described the 32-month absence of any formal October 7 probe as 'unacceptable.' The Knesset coalition's Kallner inquiry bill — Likud MK Ariel Kallner's proposed October 7 commission — was scheduled for its first full Knesset plenum reading in late May 2026. The bill, substantially weakened from its original form, had drawn condemnation from the Attorney General (Baharav-Miara: 'tailor-made for the government's personal needs'), President Herzog, and bereaved family organizations who called it a 'political whitewash.' Key changes from original: (1) phrase 'full, thorough, and independent investigation' removed from purpose clause; (2) Supreme Court justices and former AG barred from membership; (3) appointment requires 80-MK Knesset supermajority. The Beyachad alliance (Naftali Bennett + Yair Lapid) continued to poll as the leading opposition bloc, with an independent state commission as Day 1 governing priority. Polling: 72% of Israelis (Hebrew University, April 2026) favor an independent inquiry; 63% (JPPI, May 15) favor an immediate commission. On the operational front, Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defense Minister Katz reaffirmed Israel's commitment to pursuing every October 7 perpetrator — statements made in the context of ongoing NILI task force operations in Gaza City's Rimal neighborhood, where Izz al-Din al-Haddad was eliminated May 16, 2026. The IDF continued to document Hamas ceasefire violations (19 documented May 6–20 including IED production and military training). Phase Two negotiations remained in total deadlock: Hamas refused disarmament without guaranteed Israeli withdrawal; Israel refused withdrawal without full Hamas demilitarization. 2,400+ ceasefire violations documented; 857+ Palestinians killed since the October 10, 2025 ceasefire (Ceasefire Day 229). All 251 hostages accounted for since January 26, 2026.