Israeli-Palestinian conflict

Displaced Palestinian people look at paintings at an open-air art exhibition at the Bureij camp for Palestinian refugees in the central Gaza Strip on April 28, 2026. The majority of Gaza's 2.4 million people have been displaced, often multiple times, by the war that began with Hamas's attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023. With displaced families living in tented camps, with serious concerns raised about their living conditions. (Photo by Eyad Baba / AFP via Getty Images) / -- IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDI

Analysis

Why Abbas' win in Gaza remains 'symbolic,' not rejection of Hamas

Affiliates of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas performed relatively well in the municipal elections, though the vote was marred by complications relating to the war and the exclusion of Hamas.

Adam Lucente

By Adam Lucente

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

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

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu holds the hand of his wife Sara as they attend a ceremony commemorating Israel's Remembrance Day for fallen soldiers, or Yom HaZikaron, at the Military Cemetery on Mount Herzl in Jerusalem on April 21, 2026. (Photo by Ilia YEFIMOVICH / POOL / AFP via Getty Images)

Israel's Netanyahu says he was treated for prostate cancer: What we know

The prime minister said he postponed the report’s publication to prevent it from being released at the height of the war with Iran.

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

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

'Apartheid': Arab countries including UAE, Jordan decry new Israeli law

MOJAHID NAW/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images

Settler violence spike exposes Israeli government rift with military

Israeli settler violence graffiti

Analysis

India's Modi arrives in Israel as fears grow of US-Iran conflict

PM Netanyahu - X

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Orthodox worshippers attend a Christmas mass at the Greek Orthodox Church of Saint Porphyrius in Gaza City, Gaza Strip, Jan. 7, 2024.

Culture

Gaza 100 days: Palestinian heritage, churches, mosques decimated by Israeli strikes

Hundreds of heritage and other historical landmarks have been damaged in the ongoing Israeli offensive on Gaza.

Antalyaspor's Israeli forward Jehezkel displayed a bandage on the Gaza war after scoring a goal

Day 100 of Hamas-Israel war blog: Sunday, Jan. 14

Demonstrators protesting Israel's bombardment of Gaza rallied in Washington during a global 'day of action' on January 13, 2024

Day 99 of Hamas-Israel war blog: Saturday, Jan. 13

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 12: U.S. President Joe Biden walks to Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House January 12, 2024 in Washington, DC. President Biden is traveling to Allentown, Pennsylvania today, where he will visit small businesses and discuss his economic agenda. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

Exclusive

US government employees plan walkout over Biden’s Gaza policies

Organizers of the effort told Al-Monitor they expect hundreds to join in their walkout after securing commitments from individuals at 22 federal agencies.

Joyce Karam

Elizabeth Hagedorn

By Joyce Karam , Elizabeth Hagedorn

ISMAILIA, EGYPT - JANUARY 10: A ship transits the Suez Canal towards the Red Sea on January 10, 2024 in Ismailia, Egypt. In the wake of Israel's war on Gaza after the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel, Houthi rebels in Yemen pledged disruption on all ships destined for Israel through the Red Sea's Suez Canal. The disruption on world trade is evident in the number of companies using this container ship route - a 90 per cent decline compared to figures one year ago. (Photo by Sayed Hassan/Getty Images)

Tesla, Volvo pause production lines, oil prices up amid Red Sea tension

There is a fast-growing list of companies that have had to recalibrate their business strategies while the Red Sea shipping route remains volatile.

Amir Levy/Getty Images

Day 98 of Hamas-Israel war blog: Friday, Jan. 12

US special envoy Amos Hochstein (L) meets with Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati in Beirut on Jan. 11, 2024 amid continuing tensions on the Lebanese-Israeli border.

US seeks diplomatic deal to contain Israel-Lebanon escalation

Amos Hochstein said he was hopeful a "temporary compromise" could be reached to ease tensions along the Lebanon-Israel border.

SUEZ, EGYPT - JANUARY 10: A ship transits the Suez Canal towards the Red Sea on January 10, 2024 in Suez, Egypt. on January 10, 2024 in Suez, Egypt. In the wake of Israel's war on Gaza after the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel, Houthi rebels in Yemen pledged disruption on all ships destined for Israel through the Red Sea's Suez Canal. The disruption on world trade is evident in the number of companies using this container ship route - a 90 per cent decline compared to figures one year ago. (Photo by Sayed

Breaking | Last Updated: January 11, 2024, 6:41 pm

US, UK mull strikes against Iran-backed Houthis following Red Sea attacks

British media reported that Downing Street called for an emergency cabinet meeting tonight to approve UK military action against the Houthis.

France's Minister of Foreign Affairs Catherine Colonna (2R) meets with soldiers of the French contingent of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), outside the Pine Residence, the French Ambassador's official residence in Beirut, on December 18, 2023. France's top diplomat is in Lebanon on December 18, for talks on de-escalating near-daily exchanges of fire on the Israel border, which have triggered fears of all-out conflict. (Photo by Anwar AMRO / AFP) (Photo by ANWAR AMRO/AFP via Getty Image

Breaking | Last Updated: January 11, 2024, 4:42 pm

French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna out as France changes cabinet

With French President Emmanuel Macron still in charge of his country's foreign policies, Colonna's exit is unlikely to affect Paris' Middle East positions.

Judges enter the courtroom prior to the verdict in the case against Japanese whaling at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, the Netherlands, on March 31, 2014. The UN's top International Court of Justice will rule today whether Japan has the right to hunt whales in the Antarctic, in an emotive case activists say is make-or-break for the giant mammal's future. AFP PHOTO / ANP / MARTIJN BEEKMAN ***Netherlands out*** (Photo credit should read Martijn Beekman/AFP via Getty Images)

What is next at ICJ as South Africa opens Israeli genocide case?

South African lawyers and legal experts presented to the International Court of Justice in the Hague their arguments, claiming that Israel is carrying out genocide against Gazan population.

People raise flags and placards as they gather around a statue of late South African president Nelson Mandela to celebrate a landmark "genocide" case filed by South Africa against Israel at the International Court of Justice, in the occupied West Bank city of Ramallah on January 10, 2024.

How is Middle East reacting to South Africa's Gaza genocide ICJ case against Israel?

Several Arab countries have publically announced their support for South Africa’s genocide case filed against Israel at the ICJ.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's meets with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at al-Ula in northwestern Saudi Arabia on January 8, 2024, during his week-long trip aimed at calming tensions across the Middle East.

Saudi-Israel normalization emerges as leverage for post-war Gaza

Dormant discussions of a two-state solution are back on the US and regional agenda as part of Israel-Saudi normalization talks shelved after Oct. 7.