Israel’s caretaker prime minister holds first Cabinet meeting

Israel’s caretaker prime minister Yair Lapid chairs his first Cabinet meeting in Jerusalem (Gil Cohen-Magen/Pool/AP)

Israel’s caretaker prime minister, Yair Lapid, has held his first Cabinet meeting since taking over as leader, promising a functional government despite the political instability that is sending the country to its fifth election in less than four years.

Mr Lapid, sitting next to his predecessor and power-sharing partner Naftali Bennett, also warned that Israel will take any steps necessary to defend itself after it shot down three unmanned aircraft launched by the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.