Gaza

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (L) and French President Emmanuel Macron take part in a joint press conference at the Elysee Presidential Palace in Paris on July 20, 2022. (Photo by Ludovic MARIN / POOL / AFP) (Photo by LUDOVIC MARIN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Macron’s Palestine gamble: Can recognition plan jump-start peace talks?

French President Emmanuel Macron said he may recognize a Palestinian state in June when he will cohost a peace summit with Saudi Arabia, but has not committed to such a move.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Alex Wong/Getty Images

Amid differences, Trump and Netanyahu hold call, discuss Iran nuclear talks

It was their first conversation since the prime minister's visit to the White House two weeks ago, when the US president announced direct talks with Iran.

Pope Francis is welcomed at Presidential Palace on Feb. 4, 2019 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Middle East churches, Al-Azhar, leaders mourn Pope Francis

Pope Francis was praised by several regional leaders and churches, including Lebanon's Maronite Church and Iraqi officials, who noted his historic visit to Iraq in 2021.

Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani at the Kremlin in Moscow, on April 17, 2025.

Qatar and Russia to up investment by $2B as emir visits Moscow

Cooperation between Qatar and Russia on energy matters is growing, as Doha seeks to mediate between the Kremlin and Ukraine over the war.

Latest News

Israel expands Gaza buffer zone to 20% as humanitarian situation deteriorates

Palestinians gather for a communal iftar.

Analysis

Postwar Gaza plans stall over challenge of disarming Hamas

Palestinians chant slogans during an anti-Hamas protest, calling for an end to the war with Israel, in Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip on March 26, 2025.

Elizabeth Hagedorn

By Elizabeth Hagedorn

In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights

What the Signal chat leak reveals about Trump’s Middle East policy

U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth participates in a TV interview outside of the White House on March 21, 2025 in Washington, DC. Hegseth visited the White House to join U.S. President Donald Trump in announcing the Next Generation of Air Dominance (NGDA) program, the F-47, the sixth-generation high-tech Air Force fighter to succeed the F-22 Raptor. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Rare protests against Hamas erupt in Gaza: What to know

Palestinians attend a rally calling for an end to the war, in Beit Lahia, in the northern Gaza Strip, on March 25, 2025.

EYAD BABA/AFP via Getty Images

Three obstacles remain as Egypt, Israel make progress on Philadelphi Corridor

Gaps between Israel and Egypt over the complicated issue of the Philadelphi Corridor are reportedly closing ahead of a Sunday summit in the Egyptian capital on a hostage release and Gaza cease-fire deal.

Fire sweep over the Marjayoun plain in southern Lebanon near the border with Israel after being hit by Israeli shelling on August 16, 2024, amid the ongoing cross-border clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters. (Photo by RABIH DAHER / AFP) (Photo by RABIH DAHER/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

With Sinwar undecided, Israel wary of imminent Lebanon war with Hezbollah

“We are within touching distance of an Israeli attack in Lebanon, which is intended to allow us to return the residents of the north to their homes,” a senior Israeli military source told Al-Monitor this week, even as Iran hesitates on next steps.

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

An Egyptian army soldier stands among the bushes in the wired border of the Philadelphi Corridor.

Mossad director, US officials back in Egypt for talks on Philadelphi Corridor

The Israeli delegation for the deal to release the hostages arrived in Cairo for talks with the Americans and Egyptians ahead of a potential summit this Sunday.

Attendees hold up signs with the names of people who died in the Gaza war on the second day of the Democratic National Convention (DNC) at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois, on August 20, 2024.

At DNC, Harris contends with Democratic divide on Gaza

DNC delegates from the Uncommitted National Movement warn that if Harris doesn’t get tough on Israel, she risks alienating voters in battleground states like Michigan come November.

MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images

Blinken, Fidan discuss Gaza ahead of cease-fire talks in Egypt

The conversation followed the top US diplomat’s latest visit to the region without a breakthrough.

Bassem Youssef attends the 2020 Sundance Film Festival Cinema Cafe on January 31, 2020, in Park City, Utah.

Egyptian comedian Bassem Youssef no longer on X: What we know

The exiled comic has been a vocal critic of Israel, highlighting the plight of the Palestinians during the Gaza war but has recently been accused of antisemitism.

JACQUELYN MARTIN/AFP via Getty Images

Blinken meets with Egypt's Sisi as Philadelphi Corridor remains sticking point in Gaza talks

Cairo will host a new round of talks this week to secure an agreement on a Gaza cease-fire and hostage release deal as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken tours the region to mobilize support.

Yahya al-Sinwar (C), Gaza Strip chief of the Palestinian Islamist Hamas movement, waves to supporters during a rally marking the 35th anniversary of the group's foundation, in Gaza City on December 14, 2022. Hamas will end talks on securing a prisoner exchange with Israel unless there is progress soon, the militant group's leader in the Gaza Strip said on December 14. Since Israel's 2014 invasion of the Gaza Strip, the Islamist group has held the bodies of Israeli soldiers Oron Shaul and Hadar Goldin, altho

Analysis

As Netanyahu hedges, Hamas' Sinwar undecided between deal or regional war

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has arrived closer to the moment of truth where he must decide for or against a deal for the release of the hostages held by Hamas and a cease-fire in Gaza.

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

JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images

Israel recovers bodies of six hostages taken alive to Gaza on Oct. 7

The bodies of six hostages were recovered by the Israeli military and Shin Bet troops from a tunnel in Khan Younis.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks to members of the press at David Kempinski Hotel in Tel Aviv on Aug. 19, 2024.

US calls for Hamas to accept cease-fire proposal now backed by Israel

The top US diplomat visited Israel days after the United States put forward a so-called bridging proposal in the cease-fire negotiations.

Pro-Palestine protesters march ahead of the Democratic National Convention on Aug. 18, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois.

Pro-Palestinian voices protest and participate in DNC in Chicago

Protesters from across the country are in Chicago for the DNC, demanding an end to aid for Israel as Vice President Harris and the Democratic Party grapple with how to handle the Gaza war.

This picture taken from the Egyptian side of the border with the Gaza Strip, shows a damaged building on July 4, 2024, as the conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas continues. (Photo by Giuseppe CACACE / AFP) (Photo by GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP via Getty Images)

Gaza cease-fire talks to resume in Egypt with Rafah, Philadelphi corridor in focus

Following two days of talks in Doha, the US, Egyptian and Qatari mediators are expected to resume negotiations on a Gaza cease-fire in Cairo this week in the presence of Israeli officials.