Israeli-Gulf relations

An Israeli tank moves along Israel's border with the Gaza Strip, on Sept. 25, 2025, amid the ongoing war between Israel and the Palestinian Hamas militant group.

Egypt's Sisi says Gaza deal in sight as Witkoff, Kushner, Qatari PM join talks

As chief negotiators gather in Egypt, negotiations between Israel and Hamas are expected to accelerate.

OMAR AL-QATTAA/AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

Israel adapts, Turkey rises, Iran ruined: How 2 years of Gaza war reshaped Middle East

Turkey’s involvement worries Israel in Syria but also raises hopes for pressuring Hamas to agree to President Donald Trump's ceasefire proposal.

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

JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

Netanyahu hamstrung by far right, Trump as Hamas drags feet on Gaza plan

The Hamas commanders in Gaza remain the main obstacle to advancement of the Trump plan and are expected to seek amendments even as Israel’s military steps up its offensive on Gaza City.

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

US President Donald J. Trump speaks with Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani as he departs the Al Udeid Air Base for Abu Dhabi on May 15, 2025, in Doha, Qatar.

Trump signs order to ‘guarantee’ Qatar’s security after Israel strikes

New executive order appeared to go beyond existing US agreements with other Gulf states, enjoining Washington to take “all lawful and appropriate measures” — to include military action — to defend Qatar from external attack.

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Analysis

Trump offers Netanyahu cover as Israel's far right recoils at Gaza peace plan

Win McNamee/Getty Images

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

Interview

Qatar says 'ambitious' Gaza plan hinges on Trump applying Israel leverage

John Lamparski/Getty Images for Concordia Annual Summit

Majed al-Ansari

Qatar Foreign Ministry Spokesperson

Pentagon had no warning Israel planned to strike Qatar, US general says

This frame grab taken from an AFPTV footage shows smoke billowing after explosions in Qatar's capital Doha on Sept. 9, 2025.

Analysis

Planned diversification or US doubts? Why Saudi Arabia inked Pakistan security pact

Pakistani Prime Minister and Saudi crown prince

By Rosaleen Carroll

In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei speaks with Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in Tehran, May 12, 2022.

Iran's supreme leader warns Qatari emir about Israel

The Iranian state media coverage of the meeting made no mention of the Iran nuclear deal, which was widely speculated to have topped the agenda of the emir's visit to Tehran.

Adhering to Jewish tradition, Rabbi Levi Duchman burns willow branches.

Culture

Jews celebrate end of Passover in UAE

Muslims and Christians gathered inside the Jewish Council of the Emirates in Dubai upon the invitation of Rabbi Eliyahu Abadi to celebrate together the Mimouna — a Jewish feast that comes seven days after Passover.

A police officer stands guard at the Palestinian Authority side of the Erez crossing in Beit Hanoun in the northern Gaza Strip.

Gaza rocket won't stop Israel's policy efforts

Defense Minister Benny Gantz has for several months been advancing policies to better the lives of Palestinians, and last Friday's rocket won't derail them.

US President Joe Biden shakes hands with Michael Herzog, the Israeli ambassador to the United States, after the menorah lighting ceremony in celebration of Hanukkah in the East Room of the White House, Washington, Dec. 1, 2021.

Analysis

Israel wants to see improved US-Saudi relations in sign of changed Middle East

Israel's ambassador to the United States also addresses Palestinian political process; violence escalates at Jerusalem holy sites; Hamas focuses on West Bank and resistance dramas; Christian population of Jerusalem dwindles further.

Week in Review

By Week in Review

Herzog

Delisting IRGC as terror group would send 'terribly wrong message,' says Israel's US ambassador

Michael Herzog, Israel's ambassador to the United States, discussed the looming Iranian nuclear accord, chances of a Palestinian political process, the war in Ukraine, Arab-Israeli normalization and more, at a breakfast hosted by Al-Monitor.

Israel biomed

Israeli innovations in medical tech embraced worldwide

In Europe, the US, Africa, and now also in Gulf states, hospitals and healthcare systems are adopting Israeli med-tech companies' new products.

Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid (L) welcomes the United Arab Emirates' Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan upon his arrival for the Negev summit, at Sde Boker in the southern Negev desert, Israel, March 27, 2022.

Free trade agreement opens new horizons for Israel, UAE

The economy and trade ministers of Israel and the United Arab Emirates concluded last week negotiations on a ground-breaking agreement for a free trade zone, the first of its kind Israel has ever reached with an Arab country.

Israel's centrist former television anchor Yair Lapid, the prime minister's main challenger, votes at a polling station, in the fourth national election in two years, Tel Aviv, Israel, March 23, 2021.

Israel’s Yair Lapid battered by security, coalition crises

Instead of basking in the success of the regional Negev summit, Foreign Minister and Alternate Prime Minister Yair Lapid must face security challenges and severe coalition crisis.

An Israeli air force F-15 Eagle fighter plane performs at an air show during the graduation of new cadet pilots at Hatzerim base in the Negev desert, near the southern city of Beer Sheva, Israel, June 29, 2017.

For Israel, new Iran deal perhaps better than no deal at all

Officially, Israel is against the negotiated new nuclear deal with Iran, but unofficially, it thinks the new deal would be better than no deal at all.

French Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire, Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouli, and Egyptian Trade and Industry Minister Nevine Gamea.

Egypt, Israel expand economic ties

Cairo and Tel Aviv strengthen trade and economic cooperation and increase their export capacity under the protocol of the Qualified Industrial Zone.

Bahrain's Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Egypt's Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, Israel's Foreign Minister Yair Lapid, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Morocco's Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita and United Arab Emirates' Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, pose for a group photo following their Negev meeting in the kibbutz of Sde Boker, Israel, March 28, 2022.

Israeli business leaders expect surge in trade with Morocco

Morocco hopes to replicate, and even exceed, Israel-UAE business ties.

MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP via Getty Images

Second attack rattles Israel during landmark regional summit in Negev

The terror attack in Hadera, the second murderous rampage in days, did not dim the Negev Summit or the commitment of its participants for a regional alliance.