Armed Militias and Extremist Groups

TOPSHOT - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gives a press conference in Jerusalem on May 21, 2025. Netanyahu said on May 21 that he was ready for a "temporary ceasefire" to guarantee the return of hostages held in Gaza, of whom 20 are "certainly" alive. (Photo by Ronen Zvulun / POOL / AFP) (Photo by RONEN ZVULUN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

From strikes to strategy: Netanyahu seeks cover — and credit — in Trump meeting

The Israeli prime minister arrives at the White House victorious after Trump's decision to strike Iranian nuclear sites, his trial dates postponed, and Gaza on the radar.

Cautious optimism around Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal but hurdles remain

The latest Qatari outline is based on a previous US proposal and has Israel somewhat hopeful for a deal with Hamas.

BAKR ALKASEM/AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

Israel-Syria peace push mulls US troops by Golan, ‘reformulating’ armistice agreement

With the difficulty of negotiating the Golan Heights, Israel and Syria are considering something less than a peace treaty and full normalization.

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

Aviation Ordnancemen assigned to "The Swordsmen" of Fighter Squadron Thirty Two (VF-32) transfer 2,000-pound Joint Directional Attack Munition (JDAMs).

US approves over $500M arms sale to Israel ahead of Netanyahu visit

The State Department has greenlit $500 million worth of JDAM guidance kits for Israeli bombs, as at least 80 people were reportedly killed by Israeli military gunfire and airstrikes across the Gaza Strip on Monday.

Latest News

Israel strikes Lebanon as pressure mounts in Beirut to disarm Hezbollah

Pictures of Lebanese Hezbollah's slain leader Hashem Safieddine (L) and Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commander Qassem Soleimani (2nd-L) and others during a memorial vigil mourning slain members of the IRGC and scientists killed in recent Israeli airstrikes, outside the Iranian embassy headquarters in Baghdad on June 28, 2025. Iran held a state funeral service on June 28 for around 60 people, including its military commanders, killed in its war with Israel, after Tehran's top diplomat cond

Analysis

Dbeibeh’s militia gambit: Power consolidation or prelude to more Libya chaos?

Libyan security forces stand guard at the entrance of Abu Salim Zoo as workers carry out maintance work in the capital Tripoli on May 28, 2025. From May 12 to 15, the Libyan capital was rocked by fighting between an armed group aligned with the Tripoli-based government and factions it has sought to dismantle. Relative calm has since returned, but the situation remains highly volatile as calls grow for the resignation of Dbeibah (Photo by AFP) (Photo by -/AFP via Getty Images)

Jonathan Fenton-Harvey

By Jonathan Fenton-Harvey

In London, reporting on North Africa and Gulf politics

Analysis

How Trump’s call to end Netanyahu’s trial is linked to broader Gaza deal

US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Oval Office of the White House, Washington, DC, Feb. 4, 2025.

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

At least 4 Palestinians killed in West Bank as Israeli settler violence rises: What to know

Palestinian Fawzya Ishreiteh clears burnt belongings in the living and kitchen area of her family house after a reported attack overnight by Israelis from a nearby settlement, in Susya south of Hebron city in the occupied West Bank on June 25, 2025. Israel has occupied the West Bank since 1967, and violence there has soared since the start of the Gaza war in 2023. The West Bank is home to about three million Palestinians, but also some 500,000 Israelis living in settlements that are illegal under internatio

A picture taken early on May 12, 2021, shows a huge crater in the main street in Gaza City, following Israeli airstrikes on the Hamas-run territory overnight. Israeli air raids in the Gaza Strip have hit the homes of high-ranking members of the Hamas militant group, the military said Wednesday, with the territory's police headquarters also targeted.

IDF arrests senior Hamas official in West Bank

Jamal Taweel sought to reestablish a Hamas office in Ramallah, the IDF said.

A member of Iraqi security forces looks on during the digging operations to build a trench on the northern Iraqi border with Syria to prevent people from crossing over into Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan region, on April 13, 2014 in Zakho.

Iraq ramps up border security via tunnels, surveillance

Iraq focuses on preventing terrorist organizations from entering its territories, after they have used the border areas to conduct operations and move between Syria and Iraq.

Adnan Abu Zeed

By Adnan Abu Zeed

The model of an airplane of Iraqi Kurdish carrier "Zagrosjet" decorates the center of a roundabout near Erbil's International airport in the capital of Iraq's autonomous northern Kurdish region on April 15, 2021. An explosives-packed drone slammed into the Erbil airport late on April 14 in the first reported use of such a weapon against a base used by US-led coalition troops in the country, according to officials. It comes after around 20 bomb and rocket attacks blamed on pro-Iran Shiite armed groups agains

Iraqi armed factions using drones against US-led coalition

Iraqi security and coalition forces are increasingly concerned about the use of drones by armed factions against military bases and airports.

Thani and Shoukry

Qatari foreign minister visits Egypt

Relations between Qatar and Egypt have continued to improve following the January agreement that ended the Gulf diplomatic rift.

Kun Libya webpage

Libyan LGBTQ+ activists speak out on violence by extremist militias

In Libya, amid the ongoing conflict and chaos, the country's first LGBTQ+ platform is fighting for a safe space for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer individuals.

Israeli howitzer

Hamas sees possible cease-fire with Israel within days

Israel rejected a prior truce offer, though the White House blamed Hamas.

Turkish vehicles in Idlib

Little-known groups target Turkish military presence in Syria

Two little-known groups in northwest Syria are claiming responsibility for attacks against Turkish troops in the area, which some say may benefit al-Qaeda against Hayat Tahrir al-Sham.

Israel's Iron Dome air defense system intercepts rockets above the coastal city of Tel Aviv on May 15, 2021, following their launching from the Gaza Strip controlled by the Palestinian Hamas movement.

Hamas again threatens to strike Tel Aviv after Israel kills Islamic Jihad commander

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that the operation ‘could take some time. I hope it won't take long, but it's not immediate.’

An undated image of New Rafah City under construction

Egypt to complete construction of New Rafah City

New Rafah City is becoming a reality in northern Sinai, giving displaced Rafah residents hope for a new and secure life and Egypt a chance to better fight the Islamic State in the border area with the Palestinian Gaza Strip.

Hayat Tharir al-Sham fighters

Hayat Tahrir al-Sham expands recruitment to all of Idlib province

Hayat Tahrir al-Sham is offering young Syrians in the northwestern province of Idlib many incentives to join the militant group's ranks.

MAHMUD HAMS/AFP via Getty Images

WATCH: Israeli air force shoots down Hamas drone

Hamas released footage purporting to show new drones that resemble widely exported Iranian models.

Israeli soldiers prepare a 155 mm self-propelled shell to fire toward the Gaza Strip from their position near the southern Israeli city of Sderot on May 13, 2021. Israel deployed additional troops to Gaza's border as the military conflict with Palestinian Islamists raged on, while inside Israel security forces scrambled to contain deadly riots between Jews and Arabs.

Israel calls up 9,000 reservists to Gaza as part of 'exceptional' mobilization

Units from three brigades are readying plans for a ground incursion, pending approval by Israel's political leaders