Feature 50,000 Israeli expats fly home to vote in potential boon to Netanyahu rivals Israel prohibits voting from abroad with limited exceptions, and Israelis who spoke to Al-Monitor said they are especially motivated to fly home this year. By Adam Lucente In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change
Analysis How Israel opposition infighting is boosting Netanyahu days before election Discord within the opposition, including its reluctance to name a single candidate for prime minister ahead of the Oct. 27 election, is working in Netanyahu’s favor. By Mazal Mualem In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics
In first, Israel’s Netanyahu says he held call with Syria’s Ahmed al-Sharaa It is the first publicly disclosed contact between the leaders of Israel and Syria, which lack formal relations and have fought several wars. Sharaa’s government began US-mediated talks with Israel in 2025. Syria
Sisi says Egypt has no ‘territorial ambitions’ after Israel’s Smotrich threatens Sinai The Egyptian president’s remarks follow a warning from Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich that Israel would seize the Sinai Peninsula if Egypt attacks. Egypt
Exclusive Rights, faith groups urge Congress to block $2.8B bomb sale to Israel By Elizabeth Hagedorn In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights
Gaza overshadows COP28 as Turkey’s Erdogan blasts ’Israeli aggression' The leaders of Iraq, Jordan and Turkey acknowledged the plight of the Palestinians, which took the attention off the country's climate targets. United Arab Emirates
Who are the main Palestinian prisoners released by Israel during Gaza truce? A total of 71 women and 169 children were released from Israeli jails under a Hamas-Israel swap agreement that collapsed on Friday. Palestine
In first, Israeli-Qatari handshake at COP28 as Herzog cancels speech A climate summit photo of Herzog and the Qatari leader marks the first time the emir has publicly shaken hands with an Israeli official, as their countries don’t have official diplomatic relations. Israel
Analysis As Gaza truce collapses, what red lines did US draw to Israel on next steps? The Israeli government and the Biden administration at odds over tactics for renewed fighting and Gaza's future By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Israel needs 'clear plan' to protect Gaza civilians, Blinken says The top US diplomat said Israel must take steps to protect civilians in southern Gaza once the fighting resumes, including creating safe zones. Israel
Why did MSNBC cancel show hosted by Mehdi Hasan, fierce critic of Israel’s war? The US cable TV channel MSNBC announced on Thursday that it is canceling Mehdi Hasan’s Sunday night show, prompting a backlash from progressives and pro-Palestinian activists. Palestine
Yossi Beilin, Israel’s Oslo architect: Gaza war shattered Netanyahu’s hopes for Arab normalization Former politician and architect of the Oslo Accords Yossi Beilin says that the only feasible solution for future governance of Gaza would be an international consortium led by the United Nations or the Arab League. Israel
American among hostages freed on 6th day of Gaza truce Hamas released 16 hostages, including dual Israeli-American citizen Liat Beinin Atzili, as talks continued over extending the truce. Israel
Democrats split on conditioning Israel aid ahead of war’s next phase Some Senate Democrats have floated conditions on Israel's future military assistance after President Joe Biden said attaching strings was a "worthwhile thought." Israel
US Navy shoots down Iran-made drone fired from Yemen The shooting follows a separate incident in the Persian Gulf in which an Iranian drone came within 1,500 yards of the USS Eisenhower aircraft carrier. Legacy: Gulf
