Gaza

Ibrahim AMRO / AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

Without exit strategy, Israel faces emboldened Hezbollah, limited options on Iran

While President Donald Trump remains undecided on striking Iran again, the Israeli military is sinking deeper into its Lebanon quagmire with a reinforced Hezbollah.

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

An elections employee tapes a poster with instructions to voters ahead of the upcoming municipal elections in Deir al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip on April 21, 2026.

Feature

Gazans show cautious hope ahead of first local elections in 20 years

The city of Deir al-Balah in central Gaza is set to hold municipal elections for the first time in nearly two decades.

Rasha Abou Jalal

By Rasha Abou Jalal

In Gaza City, reporting on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict

Women read instructions to voters ahead of the upcoming municipal elections in Deir el-Balah in the central Gaza Strip on April 21, 2026.

Analysis

On eve of Palestinian local elections, competition in short supply

With many races unopposed and rivals excluded, the vote underscores a calibrated effort to contain dissent and prioritize stability.

Daoud Kuttab

By Daoud Kuttab

In Amman, reporting on Palestinian politics

Olmert

Interview

Olmert: Only Israel-Lebanon deal can curb Hezbollah, occupation 'unviable'

Former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert told Al-Monitor that Israel will only be able to defang Hezbollah if it reaches an agreement with the Lebanese government.

Latest News

Analysis

Why Netanyahu caved to Trump on Lebanon and what it means for Israel

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a joint press conference with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi in Jerusalem on February 26, 2026. (Photo by GIL COHEN-MAGEN / POOL / AFP via Getty Images)

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

With Orban’s defeat in Hungary, Israel loses European shield

Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban (L) and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu review a military honor guard on April 3, 2025 in Budapest, Hungary. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived in Hungary in defiance of the International Criminal Court (ICC)'s arrest warrant against him over alleged war crimes in Gaza. Hungary has long-standing ties with Israel, and they been further bolstered up since the start of the war in Gaza, sparked by the Palestinian militant group Hamas's attack on Oct

Iran war deepens Gaza crisis as prices soar, aid falters

Children and families gather to receive free meals shortly before Iftar during the holy month of Ramadan at a displacement camp in central Gaza City, on Feb. 27, 2026.

Daoud Kuttab

By Daoud Kuttab

In Amman, reporting on Palestinian politics

Analysis

Hamas sits out Iran war as Gaza, Gulf interests take priority

Displaced Palestinians gather for a fast-breaking Iftar meal amid the rubble of destroyed buildings at the Jabalia refugee camp, in the northern Gaza Strip, during the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan, Feb. 23, 2026.

Abeer Ayyoub

By Abeer Ayyoub

In Istanbul, reporting on Palestine

Palestinian laborers work at the construction site of a new housing project in the Israeli settlement of Ariel near Nablus, the West Bank, Jan. 25, 2017.

Israel adds 2,000 work permits for Gaza Palestinians

Israeli authorities increased by 2,000 the number of work permits for Gaza Palestinians, to a total of 14,000, and intends to add 20,000 work permits for West Bank Palestinians.

Gazan chef Nagham Skaik teaches a group of children at the Honey Yum Yum summer camp, Gaza Strip, June 2022.

Culture

Gazan chef teaches children to cook

Gazan chef Nagham Skaik inaugurated the Honey Yum Yum summer camp for children, in light of the lack of government interest in children and the lack of children's activities in the besieged enclave.

Youths rear their horses as they ride during stormy weather along a beach by the Mediterranean Sea in Gaza City, Gaza Strip, Dec. 8, 2021.

Culture

Israeli siege keeps medication from Gaza's horses

The ongoing Israeli siege imposed on the Gaza Strip prevents the entry of many medications needed to treat animals, particularly horses, that also suffer from Israel’s repeated wars on the enclave.

Palestinian cadets of al-Rebat College for Law and Police Science take part in morning exercises in Gaza city on Feb. 21, 2022.

Can community policing in Gaza replace tribal judiciary?

The Gaza-based interior minister has formed the community police unit to solve disputes among individuals and families in a bid to ease the process in regular courts.

A Palestinian farmer carries boxed strawberries as they are harvested for home consumption and export in Beit Lahia, Gaza Strip, Dec. 10, 2013.

Hamas imposes new taxes on products imported from West Bank

Hamas' Ministry of Finance in the Gaza Strip is imposing a new tax on imported West Bank products, which will add to the hike in prices amid a devastated economy due to the Israeli siege and repeated Israeli wars.

A protester holds a tissue to his nose while holding a Palestinian flag near a tire fire.

Tensions flare in Jerusalem over flag march despite caution in Gaza

The flag march in Jerusalem sparked confrontations and clashes that quickly expanded to several sites in the West Bank, in a scene reminiscent of the beginnings of the second Palestinian intifada in 2000.

al-Qassam Brigades

US sanctions international network laundering funds for Hamas

In a move aimed at cutting off the militant group’s sources of revenue, the Treasury Department designated a Hamas official, three financial facilitators and six companies.

Palestinian officers check documents of workers waiting to reach Israel through the Erez crossing.

Israel links fate of Gaza workers to security developments

Israel deliberately expelled Gazan workers from inside Israeli cities and closed the Erez crossing with the Gaza Strip, citing the tense security and military situation with the Palestinian factions in the besieged enclave.

Sergey Lavrov.

Hamas appeals to Russia for support in confrontation with Israel

A Hamas delegation visited Moscow at a time when relations between Russia and Israel are taking a more tense turn due to Israel’s position in the Russia-Ukraine war.

An Israeli soldier takes aim during a raid in the town of Rummanah.

Hamas seeks to open new battlefront within Israel's borders

Hamas is urging Arabs of Israel to escalate their attacks against Israelis inside Israel, as part of efforts to confuse the Israeli army in the event of a war with Gaza.

Israeli border police members gather by the Via Dolorosa in the old city of Jerusalem on March 28, 2022.

Israel’s security agencies struggle to prevent future terror attacks

The IDF, Shin Bet and Police manage to solve terror attacks and apprehend the perpetrators, but they are struggling with gathering information that should thwart attacks being planned.

Palestine COVID

World Bank praises Palestinian easing of COVID rules, criticizes Israeli control

The international financial body recommended several governance reforms for the Palestinian Authority to increase economic growth.