Israel - AL-MONITOR: The Middle Eastʼs leading independent news source since 2012

Israel cover image

Israel

July 9, 2026

Tel Aviv 4:41 am

23°C

U.S. President Donald Trump meets with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte (not shown) for bilateral talks at Beştepe Presidential Compound during the NATO Summit on July 08, 2026 in Ankara, Turkey. Leaders from NATO's 32 countries, plus NATO allies like Ukraine, gathered in the Turkish capital to discuss a range of issues involving spending targets, defense industrial production, and support for Ukraine, among other topics. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Trump declares MoU with Iran 'over' as Hegseth cancels trip to Israel

Trump said diplomacy with Tehran was “a waste of time” after renewed attacks around Hormuz, as US defense chief reportedly cancels Israel visit.

Froun

Explainer

Lebanon's latest damage estimate outlines reconstruction challenge

More than 1 million Lebanese residents fled their homes after Israeli attacks in southern Lebanon intensified in March, when Hezbollah entered the conflict.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (L) welcomes US President Donald Trump (R) upon his arrival on Air Force One at Etimesgut Air Base near Ankara, on July 7, 2026, before attending the 36th NATO Heads of State and Government Summit. (Photo by SAUL LOEB / AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Trump's F-35 push for Turkey runs into CAATSA — and Israel

Israel fears that Washington may be shifting its strategic options toward Turkey as the two rivals push for regional hegemony.

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

ABIR SULTAN / AFP via Getty Images

Israel, Greece conduct military drills ahead of NATO summit in Turkey

Photos published by the Greek military showed fighter jets from both countries flying side by side over the Aegean Sea.

Latest News

Interview

Ayman Odeh says Arab parties could back Bennett or Eisenkot to block Netanyahu

Joint List Party leader Ayman Odeh attends a meeting on April 5, 2021 in Jerusalem, Israel.

Ayman Odeh

Head of the Knesset's Hadash-Ta'al faction

Analysis

As US-Iran talks falter, Israel views war outcome as 'total strategic failure’

Motorists drive past a billboard bearing a picture of Iran's slain supreme leader Ali Khamenei, ahead of his funeral in Tehran on July 3, 2026. Iranian leaders began paying their respects on July 3 before the coffin of the country's late supreme leader Ali Khamenei, killed in the US-Israeli strikes that triggered the Middle East war, as Tehran prepared for a vast funeral. Khamenei's body arrived at Tehran's Grand Mosalla on July 3 ahead of ceremonies which are expected to draw millions. (Photo by AFP via Ge

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

Samuel Wendel

Senior Market Research Analyst

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Adam Lucente

News and Business Correspondent

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

Jack Dutton

Chief Business Correspondent

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech

Ben Caspit

Israel Columnist

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

Francesco Schiavi

In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance

Rina Bassist

Associate Editor (Israel)

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

This picture shows containers and cranes on a dock of Haifa port, Israel, June 24, 2021.

Israel opens Chinese-run terminal at Haifa port

Biden's CIA director raised concerns about Beijing's growing investment in Israel, according to a report.

A religious Jewish yeshiva (seminary) student stands outside the local army draft office May 11, 2006 at Tel Hashomer near Tel Aviv in central Israel.

Bennett’s government advances ultra-Orthodox public school system

The new Israeli government focuses efforts on pushing forward and expanding an ultra-Orthodox public school system.

Head of Israel's Shin Bet domestic security service, Nadav Argaman, visits the International Conference and Exhibition on Unmanned Systems at the Avenue Conventions and Events center in Israel's Airport City, near Tel Aviv, Nov. 7, 2019.

Undercover police unit to target crime in Arab-Israeli society

The establishment of a special police undercover unit targeting crime in the Arab society comes on the backdrop of increasing calls to involve the Shin Bet in this yearslong battle.

Palestinians ride a horse cart carrying rubble past the ruins of buildings destroyed in the lasted round of Israeli-Hamas fighting, in Gaza City, on Aug. 25, 2021.

Israel announces 'civil steps' to alleviate conditions in Gaza

Israel says the measures are dependent on "preservation of security" and follow the announcement of $155 million to the Palestinian Authority.

This picture taken on April 26, 2021, shows a view of fishing boats moored at the fishing port of Gaza City.

Israel expands Gaza fishing zone after demonstrations

Along with several other humanitarian gestures, Israel announced it would expand the offshore fishing zone by 15 nautical miles.

Algerian prime minister

Africa emerges as next scene of confrontation between Israel, Iran

The decision by Algeria to sever diplomatic ties with Morocco could actually signal future confrontation between Israel and Iran over influence in Africa.

A picture taken on Oct. 18, 2018 shows the US Consulate in Jerusalem.

Israel calls US plan to reopen consulate for Palestinians 'bad idea'

In an effort to repair ties with the Palestinians, the Biden administration plans to reopen the US Consulate in Jerusalem that had served as a de facto embassy for the Palestinians.

RONEN ZVULUN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

Bahraini ambassador arrives in Israel

Khaled Al Jalahma met with an Israeli diplomat in Jerusalem and tweeted in Hebrew about his new position.

Israeli Minister of Defense Benny Gantz arrives for a photo at the president's residence during a ceremony for the new coalition government in Jerusalem, on June 14, 2021.

Israel’s Gantz meets with Palestine's Abbas

Defense Minister Benny Gantz' rare meeting in Ramallah with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is making headlines.

US President Joe Biden meets with Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett in the Oval Office at the White House, Washington, Aug. 27, 2021.

Shapiro's appointment as Iran liaison good news for Bennett-Biden relations

Ambassador Dan Shapiro is a trusted and respected interlocutor for upper echelons in both Washington and Jerusalem.

ALEXEY NIKOLSKY/SPUTNIK/AFP via Getty Images

Netanyahu asked to return state gifts he received as Israeli PM

The prime minister's office has reportedly requested that Benjamin Netanyahu return 42 gifts from President Barack Obama, President Vladimir Putin and other foreign leaders that he received during his 12-year tenure.

Israeli Alternate Prime Minister and Defense Minister Benny Gantz attends a Cabinet meeting of the new government at Chagall State Hall in the Knesset, Jerusalem, May 24, 2020.

Gantz announces $155M loan for PA following Abbas meeting

Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz and PA President Mahmoud Abbas held rare face-to-face talks in Ramallah on Aug. 29.