Gaza

Palestinian Hamas fighters carry their guns in Nuseirat in the central Gaza Strip as preparations take place for the release of three Israeli hostages, as part of the seventh hostage-prisoner swap on Feb. 22, 2025.

Analysis

What will it take to disarm Hamas?

Hamas could be open to a compromise that requires it to surrender “offensive” weapons only.

Elizabeth Hagedorn

By Elizabeth Hagedorn

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

General view of the Rafah Border Crossing on Oct. 9, 2025 in Rafah, Egypt.

Rafah reopening in limbo as Israel accuses Hamas of delaying return of hostages’ remains

Delays by Hamas in returning hostage remains are complicating Israel’s reopening of the Rafah crossing and could stall the next steps of the US-mediated ceasefire.

The bodies of 45 Palestinian prisoners arrived from the Gaza Strip via the Red Cross and were transferred to Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Yunis, Palestine, on Oct. 14, 2025.

As Israel accuses Hamas of deal violation, US mulls rewards for Gaza hostage recovery

The proposed rewards come as Hamas says it has returned all the hostage bodies it can access.

Elizabeth Hagedorn

By Elizabeth Hagedorn

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

Gaza

Exclusive

Turkey readies Gaza rescue crews pending final dispatch decision

The dispatch of Turkish search and rescue crews remains pending coordination with other countries and final approval in Ankara.

Ezgi Akin

In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO

Latest News

With ceasefire on shaky ground, Trump declares Gaza plan’s next phase

President Donald Trump poses with the signed agreement at a world leaders' summit on ending the Gaza war on Oct. 13, 2025, in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt.

FIFA, Arab League, World Bank: Who's pledging what toward Gaza’s $70B reconstruction?

ABDELRAHMAN RASHAD/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images

Hamas targets opponents in violent bid to rebuild authority in Gaza

BASHAR TALEB/AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

Gaza deal stalls over deceased hostages after Trump’s euphoric Israel visit — is Netanyahu relieved?

US President Donald Trump speaks with Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Knesset, Israel's parliament, on Oct. 13, 2025, in Jerusalem.

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

Customers wait outside currency exchange stores on Aug. 5, 2024, in Tokyo, Japan.

Global stocks tank over fears of Middle East war, US recession

On Wall Street, the S&P 500 lost 3.1% while the tech-focused Nasdaq Composite Index lost 3.7% of its value after markets opened in New York Monday morning.

US Central Command Cmdr. Gen. Michael Kurilla speaks at the 18th IISS Manama Dialogue, Manama, Bahrain, Nov. 19, 2022.

CENTCOM chief heads for Israel as country prepares for Iran attack

US Central Command Commander Michael Kurilla has arrived in the Middle East in efforts to coordinate with Israel and other countries against an expected attack by Iran.

Iranians attend a funeral ceremony in Tehran on Aug. 1, 2024, for Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh, who was assassinated the day before in the Iranian capital.

For Gaza Palestinians, Haniyeh’s death makes him 'just like the rest of us'

After the shock of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh’s assassination, Palestinians in Gaza express hope as well as doubts for a cease-fire deal.

Workers hang a billboard in Palestine Square bearing a portrait of slain Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh with slogan "Expect severe punishment" in Persian and Hebrew, Tehran, July 31, 2024.

Analysis

How Israel is preparing for Iran's retaliation as Netanyahu continues double game

Israeli security officials question the Israeli prime minister's actions in the midst of talks for a Gaza hostage and cease-fire deal.

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

Palestinians carry bags of flour provided as aid to poor families at the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) distribution center, in the Al-Shati refugee camp in Gaza city on June 5, 2023.

Analysis

How US election results will shape Middle East aid in 2025

Lawmakers are expected to finalize overseas funding after voters decide a new Congress and president in November.

Megan Mineiro

By Megan Mineiro

In Washington, DC, reporting on US Congress

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators wave Palestinian flags as they take part in a rally to protest the death of the Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, following evening prayers in Fatih district of Istanbul on July 31, 2024.

Analysis

Erdogan blasts Israel in call with Biden as Haniyeh’s death stirs fury in Turkey

Across the ideological divide, Turks are airing fury at the Hamas leader's assassination.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Rockets fired from southern Lebanon are intercepted by Israel's Iron Dome air defence system over the Upper Galilee region in northern Israel, on July 15, 2024, amid ongoing cross-border clashes between Israeli troops and Lebanon's Hezbollah fighters. (Photo by Jalaa MAREY / AFP) (Photo by JALAA MAREY/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Israel runs several scenarios, prepares for attacks by Iran, Hezbollah

Israeli security experts estimate that Iran will opt for a coordinated attack with Hezbollah, but will try to avoid an all-out war.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

A view of the destruction by the Israeli military of Beit Lahia, in the northern Gaza Strip on July 29, 2024, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Hamas militant group.

Exclusive

Inside the Palestinian Authority’s day-after plan for Gaza

A proposal obtained by Al-Monitor outlines the Palestinian Authority’s plan for unified governance across the West Bank and Gaza, but its implementation hinges on whether Israel and Hamas can agree to a cease-fire.

Elizabeth Hagedorn

By Elizabeth Hagedorn

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

United Airlines passenger aircrafts are lined up at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, Illinois, on May 11, 2024. (Photo by Charly TRIBALLEAU / AFP) (Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP via Getty Images)

Shekel drops 1.2% as United Airlines, Delta halt Israel flights after Haniyeh's killing

The currency fell by 1.2% after Hamas blamed Israel for the strike in the Iranian capital of Tehran, Bloomberg reported.

Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas listens as Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (not pictured) speaks during a meeting in Ankara, on March 5, 2024.

Abbas to visit Turkey mid August as both condemn Haniyeh’s killing

The visit is scheduled amid rising tensions after the Hamas leader's assassination in Tehran, with experts urging Turkey to exercise caution vis-a-vis Hamas amid regional instability.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks to reporters after his meeting with the Egyptian president, at the Cairo airport, on June 10, 2024.

US says not involved in killing of Hamas leader Haniyeh

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip is “imperative” following the assassination of Hamas' political leader.

Ismail Haniyeh, the Doha-based political bureau chief of the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas, speaks to the press after a meeting with the Iranian foreign minister in Tehran on March 26, 2024. Haniyeh's visit to Tehran comes a day after a resolution adopted by the UN Security Council called for an "immediate ceasefire" for the ongoing Muslim holy month of Ramadan, leading to a "lasting" truce. (Photo by AFP) (Photo by -/AFP via Getty Images)

Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh killed while visiting Iran

While no party has claimed responsibility, the Gaza-based militant group immediately accused Israel of being behind the killing.