How did FIFA become part of Trump’s Gaza reconstruction effort? FIFA signed a deal on Thursday that marks the global soccer association's most significant postwar intervention in the Middle East yet. Palestine
Billions pledged, but Hamas' grip clouds Trump’s Gaza plan The Board of Peace is touting new aid and military commitments, but will they make a difference if Hamas still holds the guns in Gaza? Palestine
Trump touts pledges of troops, billions for Gaza at Board of Peace summit As the board meets for the first time, questions hang over Gaza’s ceasefire, which calls for the disarmament of Hamas and the withdrawal of Israeli troops. Palestine
Interview Huckabee confirms US-Israel alignment on Iran, says Hamas will disarm 'sooner or later' US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee told Al-Monitor in an interview that the 2025 strike on Iranian nuclear sites was only a preview of what the US military is capable of.
Analysis Israel concerned Iran trying to buy time but sees US strikes as still possible By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Analysis Why Trump is betting on military leaders for Iran negotiations By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
Analysis Fearing Iran deal, Netanyahu races to US to sway Trump, sidestep Witkoff By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Analysis Arab Israelis express solidarity with victims of Hamas attack Arab Israelis, including members of the Bedouin community in the Negev, are among the victims of Hamas' Oct. 7 attack. By Afif Abu Much In Baqa al-Gharbiyye, reporting on business and tech
Rafah crossing still closed for Americans fleeing Gaza, despite US-Egypt deal The White House national security adviser said that an attempt by American citizens to pass through the Rafah crossing into Egypt failed due to Hamas' actions. Israel
France's top diplomat discusses hostages in Israel, ahead of Lebanon visit French Minister Catherine Colonna met today in Israel with her counterpart Eli Cohen and with families of French-Israelis missing and kidnapped by Hamas before next traveling to Lebanon. Israel
Day 9 of Hamas-Israel war blog: Sunday, Oct. 15 Nine days into the fighting between Israel and Hamas, nearly 1 million are now displaced in Gaza as rocket barrages continue in the direction of Israel and the Israeli bombardment intensifies on the enclave. Israel
Gaza residents tell stories of pain and fear as they flee Israeli bombardment As many residents flee south, some Gazans are remaining in their homes, fearing a repeat of 1948, when hundreds of thousands of Palestinians left but never returned. Palestine
Nearly 600 Americans stuck in Gaza amid Egypt talks over Rafah, aid Egyptian officials said they will not allow foreigners to exit Gaza via the Rafah border crossing until an agreement on aid deliveries is reached, according to reports. Palestine
Israel’s intelligence blunder on Gaza: Misreading Hamas abilities, intentions Whether a result of hubris or something more mundane, Israel severely underestimated Hamas’s operational capabilities and intentions, believing that the group was content to sit on the sidelines, even as other groups like Palestine Islamic Jihad (PIJ) were on the attack. By Colin P. Clarke In Pittsburgh, US, reporting on counterterrorism, militancy
Day 8 of Hamas-Israel war blog: Saturday, Oct. 14 Eight days into the fighting between Israel and Hamas, nearly 1 million are now displaced in Gaza as rocket barrages continue in the direction of Israel and the Israeli bombardment intensifies on the enclave. Israel
'We are living a real doomsday': Gaza residents with nowhere to hide from Israel’s looming incursion Al-Monitor correspondent in Gaza says “no one is able to help anyone” as Israel prepares for ground assault; our reporting from Israel, Gaza, Egypt, Iran and more; why China sees the war as a net negative. Israel
Iran doubles down on backing Hamas, says US unable to block $6 billion fund The Islamic Republic has dismissed a reported US-Qatari deal on pausing an expected release of unfrozen Iranian funds while warning that other Iran-baked regional proxies could join Hamas' battle against Israel. Iran
Turkey says 'intensive contacts' underway to free Israel's hostages with Hamas The Turkish president said his government, which has channels to both Hamas and Israel, is seeking the release of hostages held in Gaza, but hinted at Western obstacles. Turkey
Analysis Israel's cruel dilemma as it embarks on ground operation in Gaza With two former generals, leaders of the opposition, now inside the cabinet, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may soon launch a ground offensive. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
