Tuesday 1 Iyar – Putin declares 72-hour truce in May – as Ukraine ‘ready to support lasting and full ceasefire’ – Ronen Bar announces he will step down as Shin Bet chief on June 15, says all leaders must take responsibility – Turkish Airlines, Pegasus forgo their slots at Ben Gurion Airport

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Vladimir Putin has declared there will be a three-day ceasefire next week by Russia in its war in Ukraine.

The president said it would be to mark the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Soviet Union and its allies over Nazi Germany in World War Two.

The truce is due to be from the start of Thursday 8 May (10pm on 7 May UK time) until the end of Saturday 10 May (10pm on 10 May UK time).

On 9 May, Mr Putin is set to host international leaders including Chinese President Xi Jinping for lavish celebrations to commemorate the WWII victory.

Russia has called on Ukraine to announce a truce of its own.

The Kremlin said during the 8-10 May ceasefire, “all military actions are suspended for this period. Russia believes that the Ukrainian side should follow this example”.

“In the event of violations by the Ukrainian side, Russia’s armed forces will give an adequate and effective response.”

Spanish power grid operator Red Electrica says it is working with energy companies to restore power after large parts of Spain and Portugal are hit by a power outage.

Spanish radio stations say part of the Madrid underground is being evacuated. There are traffic jams at Madrid city center as traffic lights stopped working, Cader Ser Radio station reports.

E-Redes, a Spanish electricity grid monitoring company, says in a statement it is working on reestablishing connection in phases.

“This is a wider European problem,” it adds.

Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar announces that he will step down from his position on June 15, citing personal responsibility for the agency’s failure to prevent the October 7 Hamas attack.

Speaking at a memorial event for fallen Shin Bet personnel, Bar says that after “years [operating] on many fronts,” the agency “failed in providing an early warning” that day. “All systems collapsed.”

“As the head of the organization, I took responsibility for this — and now, on this special evening, symbolizing remembrance, bravery, and sacrifice, I have chosen to announce the fulfillment of that responsibility and my decision to end my tenure as head of the Shin Bet,” he says.

“In light of the magnitude” of the October 7 event, Bar continues, “all of us — those who chose public service and the defense of the state’s security as our life mission, and who failed to provide a protective covering that day — must bow our heads humbly before the murdered, the fallen, the wounded, the abducted and their families, and act accordingly. All of us.”

Bar relates to some of his concerns in his speech, saying of the Shin Bet: “This is an organization whose proper functioning is of priceless importance to the security of the state and to Israeli democracy. Over the past month, I fought for this, and this week, all the necessary groundwork was laid before the High Court of Justice, and I hope that its verdict will ensure that the Shin Bet remains so — for the long term and without fear.”

He specifies that the agency must be provided with “institutional protections that will allow every Shin Bet chief to fulfill their role, subject to government policy and for the public good, independently and free of pressure. And thus — to draw the clear line that distinguishes between trust and loyalty.”

Bar says that the ongoing proceedings “are not about my personal case but about the independence of future Shin Bet chiefs,” stressing that he is willing to continue to cooperate with the High Court on the case moving forward.

Nonetheless, he concludes, “after 35 years of service,” he will step down on June 15 in order to allow for an orderly process of appointing his successor and guiding them during the handover period. “My love for my homeland and loyalty to the state have been the foundation of every professional decision I have made — so too this evening.”