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May 16, 2026

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Lebanon-Israel ceasefire extended 45 days as US opens security talks

The Pentagon will host Israeli and Lebanese military delegations for a round of separate security talks later this month.

US President Donald Trump talks to UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan as he departs the Al Bateen Executive Airport on May 15, 2025, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Analysis

‘A reckless act’: Netanyahu sparks UAE fury by claiming secret visit

Just as UAE-Israeli relations were deepening through cooperation against Iran, the Israeli prime minister publicly embarrassed Abu Dhabi by revealing his March visit.

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

Israel's Netanyahu suing New York Times over column on Palestinian rape

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Gideon Saar rejected New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof's accusations of systematic sexual abuse and rape of Palestinian prisoners, calling the claims a "blood libel."

Latest News

Analysis

Israel’s drone dilemma: Hezbollah’s low-cost threat reshapes Lebanon front

Artillery units are positioned near the Lebanese border in northern Israel, May 4, 2026.

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

EU ministers agree to sanction violent West Bank settlers: What to know

Two men stand next to the burned remains of a Palestinian vehicle in the Wadi al-Rakhim area of Susya village in Masafer Yatta, south of Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, on May 1, 2026.

Netanyahu fears being left out as Trump pursues Iran diplomacy

Ronen Zvulun / 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

GAZA CIY, GAZA - SEPTEMBER 02: Head of the Political Bureau of Hamas Ismail Haniyeh attends the commemoration ceremony for the three policemen in two suicide bomb attacks and in Gaza City, Gaza on September 02, 2019. (Photo by Mustafa Hassona/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

Do the Hamas-Israeli understandings have a future?

The results of the Israeli elections have raised concerns within Hamas about the future of the understandings reached between the movement and Israel that have provided Gaza a lifeline and that are helping it remain in control.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry addresses journalists during a joint press conference with his Greek counterpart Nikos Dendias (not pictured) following a meeting at the Foreign Ministry in Athens, Greece July 30, 2019. REUTERS/Costas Baltas - RC130150F8D0

Egyptian FM: Ethiopian dam development shouldn’t 'come at expense of lives of Egyptians'

In an exclusive, in-depth interview with Al-Monitor, Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry says he sees no change in Qatari policies; great potential in regional integration; and says Egypt will play its "traditional role" to support "courageous decisions" to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Avigdor Lieberman, leader of Yisrael Beitenu party, arrives to deliver a statement following his party faction meeting, near Neve Ilan, Israel September 22, 2019. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun - RC18ADACE250

Israel’s Liberman tries instigating a secular revolution

The very fact that matters of religion and state became the main issues in the Sept. 17 election could help to resolve them.

An aerial view shows the newly arrived foundation platform of Leviathan natural gas field, in the Mediterranean Sea, off the coast of Haifa, Israel January 31, 2019. Marc Israel Sellem/Pool via REUTERS - RC17C1973F80

Israel to start exporting natural gas to Egypt as last obstacle is removed

An agreement was recently signed allowing the Egyptian Eastern Mediterranean Gas company to use the Eurasia-Israel pipeline, which would allow the resumption of natural gas exports to Egypt.

Israeli Arabs vote during Israel's parliamentary election at a polling station in Kafr Manda near Haifa on September 17, 2019. (Photo by Ahmad GHARABLI / AFP) (Photo credit should read AHMAD GHARABLI/AFP/Getty Images)

The initiative that increased Israeli-Arab voting rate

The participatory democracy project for polling booths on local issues, managed to wake up the Arab street and get it to participate actively also in the national democratic process.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu looks on as he sits next to Benny Gantz, leader of Blue and White party, during a memorial ceremony for late Israeli President Shimon Peres, at Mount Herzl in Jerusalem September 19, 2019. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun - RC140183F6E0

Are Netanyahu and Gantz really so different?

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Blue and White leader Benny Gantz appear to hold similar views on certain issues, but are miles apart in tone and expression.

Benny Gantz, leader of Blue and White, delivers a statement before his party faction meeting in Tel Aviv, Israel September 19, 2019. REUTERS/Amir Cohen - RC1D073452E0

Israelis embrace Gantz as Bibi's opposite

The level head and plain good luck that have accompanied Benny Gantz throughout his military career could now get the Blue and White leader into the premier’s seat.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivers a statement during a news conference in Jerusalem September 18, 2019. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun - RC13F51CAAE0

Will Israel’s gatekeepers block Netanyahu?

Now more than ever before, Israel’s gatekeepers must protect the country from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

An Arab Israeli woman casts her vote during Israel's parliamentary elections on April 9, 2019 at a polling station in the northern Israelii town of Taiyiba. - Israelis voted today in a high-stakes election that will decide whether to extend Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's long right-wing tenure despite corruption allegations or to replace him with an ex-military chief new to politics. (Photo by Ahmad GHARABLI / AFP) (Photo credit should read AHMAD GHARABLI/AFP/Getty Images)

Israel’s center-left needs Arab parties more than ever

If Blue and White leader Benny Gantz neglects to reward the Arab sector for its crucial role in bringing down the government of Benjamin Netanyahu, he will find himself back in the opposition.

Avigdor Lieberman, leader of Yisrael Beitenu leaves his party headquarters following the announcement of exit polls in Israel's parliamentary election, in Jerusalem September 18, 2019. REUTERS/Oren Ben Hakoon ISRAEL OUT. NO COMMERCIAL OR EDITORIAL SALES IN ISRAEL - RC1D8212B770

Avigdor Liberman’s political big bang

Yisrael Beitenu leader Avigdor Liberman succeeded in creating a true political big bang and is now holding the keys for the composition of the next government.

Ahmad Tibi, leader of the Ta'al party faction, is surrounded by supporters during an election campaign event in the Wadi Ara, in northern Israel February 2, 2019. Picture taken February 2, 2019. REUTERS/Ammar Awad - RC1BF8975AF0

The surprising political tactics of Israel’s Arab party

The Joint List decided not to immediately recommend Benny Gantz for premiership so that he does not form a unity party with the Likud and leave the Joint List out.

Hamas Chief Ismail Haniyeh gestures as he arrives to meet an Egyptian security delegation in Gaza City October 18, 2018. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem - RC1F2F0C4D30

Israel gets new chance to reach arrangement with Palestinians

If Blue and White leader Benny Gantz composes the new government and invites Yisrael Beitenu leader Avigdor Liberman to be part of it, then these two men must focus on reaching an arrangement with Hamas.