diff --git a/VERSION b/VERSION
index 212c3bf8771..a6c5252cd47 100644
--- a/VERSION
+++ b/VERSION
@@ -1 +1 @@
-v1.2.5
+v1.2.6
diff --git a/release-notes/v1.2.6.yaml b/release-notes/v1.2.6.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..1918b1bab78
--- /dev/null
+++ b/release-notes/v1.2.6.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,23 @@
+date: January 23, 2025
+
+# Changes that are expected to cause an incompatibility with previous versions, such as deletions or modifications to existing APIs.
+breaking changes: |
+
+# Updates addressing vulnerabilities, security flaws, or compliance requirements.
+security updates: |
+  Fixed vulnerability CVE-2025-24030, which exposed the Envoy admin interface via the Prometheus stats endpoint. For more details, refer to https://github.com/envoyproxy/gateway/security/advisories/GHSA-j777-63hf-hx76.
+
+# New features or capabilities added in this release.
+new features: |
+
+bug fixes: |
+  Fixed a panic that occurred following update to the envoy-gateway-config ConfigMap.
+
+# Enhancements that improve performance.
+performance improvements: |
+
+# Deprecated features or APIs.
+deprecations: |
+
+# Other notable changes not covered by the above sections.
+Other changes: |
diff --git a/site/content/en/news/releases/notes/v1.2.6.md b/site/content/en/news/releases/notes/v1.2.6.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..afbf754767e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/site/content/en/news/releases/notes/v1.2.6.md
@@ -0,0 +1,28 @@
+---
+title: "v1.2.6"
+publishdate: 2025-01-23
+---
+
+Date: January 23, 2025
+
+## Breaking changes
+- 
+
+## Security updates
+- Fixed vulnerability CVE-2025-24030, which exposed the Envoy admin interface via the Prometheus stats endpoint. For more details, refer to https://github.com/envoyproxy/gateway/security/advisories/GHSA-j777-63hf-hx76.
+
+## New features
+- 
+
+## Bug fixes
+- Fixed a panic that occurred following update to the envoy-gateway-config ConfigMap.
+
+## Performance improvements
+- 
+
+## Deprecations
+- 
+
+## Other changes
+- 
+