Gaza

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu participates in a joint news conference with US President Donald Trump (not seen) in the State Dining Room at the White House on Sept. 29, 2025, in Washington.

Analysis

In 2025, Netanyahu saved his coalition but stalled on Gaza, Iran, Lebanon

With 2025 ending, Israelis are frustrated over Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s refusal to fully end the Gaza war, solve the Hezbollah problem, reach a deal with Syria or find a way to constructively impact talks on the Iranian nuclear program.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

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

Analysis

Trump has upper hand over Netanyahu, but is it enough for Gaza?

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been stalling on the implementation of the second phase of President Donald Trump’s Gaza plan, but at the end of the day, Trump has much more leverage over Netanyahu.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio gestures as he speaks during an end-of-year press conference in the State Department Press Briefing Room in Washington, DC on December 19, 2025. (Photo by Mandel NGAN / AFP via Getty Images)

Rubio hints US could accept Hamas keeping small arms

The top US diplomat told Al-Monitor the focus of disarmament should be on the "weaponries or capabilities" that Hamas would need to threaten Israel.

A ship sails along Egypt's Suez Canal near Ismailia, April 16, 2025.

Maersk resumes Red Sea passage after two-year halt amid easing Houthi threat

A ceasefire reached between Israel and Hamas in October has prompted some shipping companies to consider resuming services, but security concerns persist.

Latest News

Facing Israeli pushback, Turkey recalibrates public messaging on Gaza force

Saeed Jaras / Middle East Images / AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

How Netanyahu ceded to Trump, agreed to Egypt's $35B gas deal

SHARM EL-SHEIKH, EGYPT - OCTOBER 13: U.S. President Donald Trump and President of Egypt Abdel Fattah El-Sisi clasp hands as they speak to the press before their meeting on October 13, 2025 in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt. President Trump is in Egypt to meet with European and Middle Eastern leaders in what’s being billed as an international peace summit, following the start of a US-brokered ceasefire deal to end the war in the Gaza Strip. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

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

Qatar’s prime minister meets US officials as Gaza plan stalls

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (R) shakes hands with Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani at the State Department in Washington, on Dec. 17, 2025.

Over 600 Israeli ex-security chiefs urge Trump to disarm Hamas, back PA in Gaza

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

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a joint press conference with the German Chancellor after their meeting in Jerusalem on March 17, 2024.

Republican House speaker courts Netanyahu amid partisan split on Gaza

If he accepts Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson’s planned invite to speak before Congress, chances are Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will find an even less receptive audience than listened to his 2015 address.

COHEN-MAGEN/AFP via Getty Images

Mossad, CIA chiefs to return to Qatar to continue Gaza talks

After a visit to Doha earlier this week, Mossad chief David Barnea is expected to return to Qatar Friday to pursue talks for a hostage release and cease-fire deal.

French Ambassador to the United Nations Nicolas de Riviere speaks during a UN Security Council vote on the Israel-Hamas war, UN Headquarters, New York City, Feb. 20, 2024.

France to submit Gaza UN resolution that can ‘actually be adopted,’ rivaling US draft

France says its proposal will not compete with or contradict a draft resolution sponsored by the US currently in circulation.

People inspect damage and recover items from their homes following Israeli air strikes on March 19, 2024, in Rafah, Gaza.

Rights groups warn US over Israel's assurances on weapons use

In a report to the Biden administration, Oxfam and Human Rights Watch challenged Israel's assertion that it's using US weapons in accordance with international law.

Ambassador of Israel to the U.S. Ron Dermer speaks during the annual "Days of Remembrance" event at the Emancipation Hall of U.S. Capitol April 29, 2019 in Washington, DC. The museum hosted the annual event in honor of the victims of the Holocaust and Nazi persecution. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Israel's Dermer, Hanegbi head to US as White House ups criticism of Rafah

The office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has confirmed an Israeli delegation will soon head to Washington to discuss the impending military operation in Rafah.

This picture taken from Israel's southern border with the Gaza Strip shows Israeli army battle tank at a position along the border with the Palestinian territory, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, March 19, 2024.

Analysis

As Netanyahu balks at PA control, Hamas cells regroup in north Gaza

The Israeli military said it killed around 50 Hamas militants after storming Gaza City’s Al-Shifa hospital on Sunday as Israeli intelligence signals Hamas cells are regrouping in the north.

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

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken disembarks from the plane upon his arrival at King Khalid International Airport in the Saudi capital Riyadh on Feb. 5, 2024.

Blinken to visit Saudi Arabia, Egypt as US-Israel rift grows over Gaza

The top US diplomat will return to the Middle East as US alarm grows over Israel’s planned military offensive in Rafah.

Children play in the rubble of Al-Faruq Mosque, which was destroyed during Israeli bombardment, in Rafah on the southern Gaza Strip on March 17, 2024.

Israeli delegation to visit White House as Biden-Netanyahu Rafah rift continues

The White House has invited an Israeli delegation to Washington to discuss ways forward in the campaign against Hamas, likely seeking to buy time after failing to secure a cease-fire in Gaza war before Ramadan.

An undated image of Faiq Mabhouh.

Israel kills Hamas’ Faiq al-Mabhouh as US confirms Marwan Issa’s death

US national security advisor Jake Sullivan confirmed that Hamas' number three, Marwan Issa, was killed last week while Israel took out another high-ranking Hamas security official.

Israel's Mossad Director David Barnea speaks during the International Institute for Counter-Terrorism World Summit, Herzliya, Israel, Sept. 10, 2023.

Mossad chief heads to Qatar for 'long and complex' Gaza cease-fire talks

The Israeli cabinet approved for its negotiating team to relaunch indirect negotiations with Hamas for a cease-fire and hostage release deal.

West Bank

Why West Bank tensions could boil over during Ramadan

The increasing Israeli raids and armed attacks against Israeli forces have raised fears that the situation in the West Bank will explode.

Haim Zach/GPO

Analysis

India courts Israel while calling for Gaza cease-fire and expanding Gulf ties

In Jerusalem, Indian national security adviser Ajit Doval expressed his country’s support for Israel while also calling for a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs