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

Israel cover image

Israel

July 13, 2026

Tel Aviv 7:34 am

25°C

Jim WATSON / AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

As US-Iran fighting resumes, Israel weighs 3 options with restraint winning, for now

Despite Israel's military readiness to resume strikes on Iran, officials say looming elections make Netanyahu more likely to stay out unless Tehran forces his hand.

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

Former Israeli army chief of staff Gadi Eizenkot speaks during the launch of the Yashar party's election campaign in Hod Aharon, in central Israel, on June 30, 2026.

New Israeli election poll puts Eisenkot ahead of Netanyahu: What to know

Gadi Eisenkot’s Yashar party has now bypassed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud in the polls, cementing his status as Netanyahu’s main opponent.

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.

Latest News

Explainer

Lebanon's latest damage estimate outlines reconstruction challenge

Froun

Analysis

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

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)

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

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

ABIR SULTAN / AFP via Getty Images

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

Intel: Sudan's Ministerial Council weighs in on Israel normalization

Sudan's leaders anticipate economic benefits from the agreement, which is opposed by opposition parties.

IN FLIGHT, SCOTLAND - OCTOBER 08: An F-35B combat aircraft from the Royal Air Force refuels from an RAF Voyager aircraft over the North Sea on October 08, 2020 in flight, above Scotland. The first air-to-air refuelling of F-35Bs from the newly-formed Carrier Strike Group took place as part of Operation Joint Warrior. Flying from HMS Queen Elizabeth, the RAF, RN and USMC Pilots (USofA) were demonstrating the operational capabilities of NATO and the UK for current and future threats. Operation Joint Warrior t

Gantz, Netanyahu split again over US F-35 sale to UAE

Defense Minister Benny Gantz accuses Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of withholding knowledge of US-Emirates negotiations on the sale of F-35 stealth jets.

United Arab Emirates

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a joint statement to the press with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (unseen) after meeting in Jerusalem, on August 24, 2020. - Pompeo arrived in Israel kicking off a five-day visit to the Middle East which will take him to Sudan, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain, focusing on Israel's normalising of ties with the UAE and pushing other Arab states to follow suit. (Photo by DEBBIE HILL / various sources / AFP) (Photo by DEBBIE HILL/AFP via Getty Im

Israel preoccupied with domestic ills as ties warm with Khartoum

Israel and Sudan have agreed to establish diplomatic relations, but Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seems to be celebrating alone as the news media focus on the coronavirus crisis and wide demonstrations.

Israel will not oppose US sale of 'certain weapon systems' to United Arab Emirates

The announcement likely refers to the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.

United Arab Emirates

TOPSHOT - Flames are seen following an Israeli air strike in the town of Khan Yunis, in the southern Gaza Strip, early on October 23, 2020. - The Israeli army said two rockets were fired from Gaza towards Israel on the night of October 22, without causing any casualties or damage, and that one had been intercepted by air defences. (Photo by SAID KHATIB / AFP) (Photo by SAID KHATIB/AFP via Getty Images)

Israel bombs Gaza after sustaining rocket fire

Israel frequently clashes with Hamas and other groups in Gaza, and the two last agreed to a cease-fire in September.

Ayman Odeh, head of mainly Arab Joint List electoral alliance, speaks to the media in Israel's northern city of Shefa-Amr during the Israeli legislative election on March 2, 2020. - Israel held its third election in less than a year seeking to break a grinding political deadlock, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu chasing re-election while facing criminal indictment. (Photo by Ahmad GHARABLI / AFP) (Photo by AHMAD GHARABLI/AFP via Getty Images)

Arab-Israelis unhappy with Joint List for rejecting deals with Gulf states

Despite reluctance among Arab-Israeli lawmakers, Israel's Arab public largely supports the normalization deals signed with the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain.

US Secretary of Defense Mark Esper (R) welcomes Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz during an honor cordon at the Pentagon on September 22, 2020 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Olivier DOULIERY / AFP) (Photo by OLIVIER DOULIERY/AFP via Getty Images)

Gantz, Esper sign US commitment to maintain Israel’s qualitative military edge

Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz met yesterday with US Secretary of Defense Mark Esper; the two ministers signed at the Pentagon a joint declaration over the United States maintaining Israel’s military advantage in the Middle East.

A picture taken on October 20, 2020, shows an Israeli observation post at the Gaza-Israel border, east of Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip. - Israel on October retaliated with airstrikes against a rocket fired from the Gaza strip, after it said it had discovered a tunnel that crossed "dozens of meters (yards) into Israel from Gaza" leading from Palestinian into Israeli territory, the army said. (Photo by MAHMUD HAMS / AFP) (Photo by MAHMUD HAMS/AFP via Getty Images)

Israeli technology exposes Gaza attack tunnel, challenges Hamas

The Israel Defense Forces know that the uncovering of a large Hamas terror tunnel does not mean that group would abandon its efforts to attack Israel.

Israel, UAE agree Emiratis can stay without visas for 90 days

Diplomats from the two Middle East countries also struck agreements on investment and aviation.

United Arab Emirates

Israel, Bahrain sign air travel agreement

The two countries agreed to establish weekly passenger and cargo flights between each other. It follows a similar arrangement between Israel and the UAE.

(L to R) Sudan's Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok and the mask-clad (COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic precaution) Sovereign Council chief General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan attend the opening session of the First National Economic Conference in the capital Khartoum on September 26, 2020. (Photo by ASHRAF SHAZLY / AFP) (Photo by ASHRAF SHAZLY/AFP via Getty Images)

Israeli delegation visits Sudan in sign of possible normalization

A top Israeli delegation's visit to Sudan could mean that the rapprochement process is moving quickly and the establishment of diplomatic ties is imminent.

Israel-Turkey inch closer in trade, culture

While Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan continues to slam Israel, commercial and cultural ties show signs of growth.