Gaza

SEBASTIEN BOZON/AFP via Getty Images

EU Commission chief seeks sanctions, partial trade freeze on Israel: What to know

The proposal comes in response to Israel’s actions in Gaza, but divisions among the EU’s 27 member states make it uncertain whether the measures will be adopted.

TOPSHOT - Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (C) and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir (R) visit the scene of a shooting at the Ramot road junction in Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem on September 8, 2025. Palestinian gunmen opened fire at a bus stop in Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem on September 8, killing five people and wounding several others. Israeli emergency service Magen David Adom (MDA) said there were five victims dead in the shooting attack, updating an earlier toll of four. Police

Analysis

Trump fumes, Hamas scoffs: Will Israel’s Qatar strikes backfire?

While the targeted Hamas leaders' fate is unknown, it is clear that the United States is unhappy with Tuesday’s strike and that Qatar will distance itself from mediating a Gaza ceasefire deal.

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

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez attends a press conference at the Spanish Embassy in Beijing on April 11, 2025, after meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Spain recalls Israel envoy, imposes sanctions as rift over Gaza deepens: What to know

Israel accused Spain of antisemitism after Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced a package of sanctions over its Gaza war policies.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit (L) and Israeli peace activist and hostage negotiator Gershon Baskin (R) after Shalit's release in 2011.

Exclusive

Israeli activist Gershon Baskin conveys US truce plan to Hamas

The proposal sent to Hamas would require the group release the 48 remaining hostages at once.

Elizabeth Hagedorn

By Elizabeth Hagedorn

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

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Analysis

Inside Israel's Yemen operation that decapitated Houthi leadership

MOHAMMED HUWAIS/AFP via Getty Images

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

UAE president meets Saudi crown prince ahead of UN Palestine conference

HRH Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, president of the United Arab Emirates, in Riyadh, on Sept. 3, 2025.

United Arab Emirates

UAE says Israel’s West Bank annexation push a ‘red line': What to know

Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu, US President Donald Trump, and Foreign Affairs Minister of the United Arab Emirates Abdullah bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

Pentagon kicks off Bright Star war games in Egypt with 1,500 US troops

An Edge 130 Blue small, unmanned aircraft system (sUAS) assigned to the 1st Special Operations Wing takes off to perform flight demonstrations to partner nations during BRIGHT STAR 2025 at Talet Al Keif, Egypt.

Dubai, United Arab Emerates, Dec. 2: António Guterres, United Nations Secretary-General speaks at the G77 and China Leaders' Summit.

Analysis

Explainer: Why did UN chief Guterres invoke Article 99 over Gaza?

The invocation of the article, which formally brings the war to the attention of the Security Council, drew a rebuke from Israel and praise from Arab states, and may harm the UN secretary-general's relations with the US.

Adam Lucente

By Adam Lucente

In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change

Merav Michaeli, Israel’s Labor party chief, on Oct. 20, 2022.

Analysis

Why did Israel Labor party chief Merav Michaeli quit politics?

Israeli Labor Chair Merav Michaeli says she will not run on the party ticket at the next elections and will not run at the primaries for the leadership position, as the party needs to heal after its low score in the last 2022 elections.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israeli Chief of Staff Gadi Eizenkot (L) give a press conference in Tel Aviv, on December 4, 2018.

Former Israeli military chief Gadi Eisenkot’s son killed in Gaza

Gadi Eisenkot joined Israel's war cabinet with his National Camp party leader Benny Gantz, another former IDF chief, after the Oct. 7 attack on Israel.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Israeli ambassador to the US Michael Oren arrives to address the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) annual policy conference in Washington on March 3, 2013. AFP PHOTO/Nicholas KAMM (Photo credit should read NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

'Multiple clocks' are ticking on Gaza, warns former Israeli ambassador to US

Michael Oren told Al-Monitor that Israel must appreciate the efforts by the Biden administration to support the country and its Gaza military campaign, and urged the Israeli government to curb West Bank settler violence.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Lebanon

Day 62 of Hamas-Israel war blog: Thursday, Dec. 7

Protesters lift placards and portraits during a demonstration in Tel Aviv on December 2, 2023, calling for the release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza since the October 7 attacks. Israel and Hamas brushed off international calls to renew an expired truce on December 2 as air strikes pounded militant targets in Gaza and Palestinian groups launched volleys of rockets.

With hostage talks deadlocked, fears grow for women left in Gaza

Negotiations over the remaining female hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip have reached an impasse.

TOPSHOT - Protesters hold pictures of Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani, during a demonstration outside the US consulate in Istanbul, on January 5, 2020, two days after top Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani was killed by a US drone strike. - A US drone strike killed top Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani at Baghdad's international airport on January 3, dramatically heightening regional tensions and prompting arch enemy Tehran to vow "revenge". (Photo by Yasin AKGUL / AFP) (Photo by YASIN AKGUL/AFP via Getty

Iran court orders US to pay $49 billion over Soleimani assassination

Qasem Soleimani led Iran’s elite Quds Force until he was assassinated by the United States in Baghdad in 2020 in response to attacks on US forces in Iraq.

Guterres Netanyahu

Analysis

Shin Bet chief calls on UN to side with Israel in 'war between good and evil'

In a letter to the UN secretary-general, the head of Israel's domestic security agency called on the international community to support efforts to end Hamas' rule of the Gaza Strip and recognize the crimes committed against Israelis, especially women.

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

helicopter

Day 61 of Hamas-Israel war blog: Wednesday, Dec. 6

Yahya Sinwar

After Yahya Sinwar sanctions, France looks to deepen EU's anti-Hamas push

France announced Tuesday it was freezing the assets of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar for six months, a move it says is a prerequisite for enforcement of European Union sanctions on Hamas leaders.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R) shakes hands with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken during statements to the media inside The Kirya, which houses the Israeli Defence Ministry, after their meeting in Tel Aviv on October 12, 2023. Blinken arrived in a show of solidarity after Hamas's surprise weekend onslaught in Israel, an AFP correspondent travelling with him reported. He is expected to visit Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as Washington closes ranks with its ally that has launche

Analysis

Growing US-Israel rift over Gaza war timeline: Will Netanyahu budge?

Sources told Al-Monitor that US Secretary of State Antony Blinken conveyed a different timeline than what Israel had in mind to end the war.

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

MOHAMMED ABED/AFP via Getty Images

Day 60 of Hamas-Israel war blog: Tuesday, Dec. 5