Shadow war: Egypt and Iran battle for influence in Gaza

It looks like Khamenei and Hamas leaders agree on everything ... but is the reality more or less than meets the eye? Iran gains traction even with the PA; Egypt looks to take the diplomatic lead; closing the Iranian margins.

Legacy: Gulf

Can Netanyahu split Blue and White?

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu might attempt to encourage seven Knesset members from Blue and White to quit their party and join forces with him to secure a majority coalition.

Israel

Hamas says it does not oppose a state along the 1967 borders

Hamas politburo Chief Ismail Haniyeh said Hamas does not oppose the creation of a Palestinian state along the 1967 borders in a gradual manner, but insisted on not recognizing Israel.

Palestine

Why US companies seek role in Egyptian oil sector

The Egyptian oil and natural gas market is witnessing a significant expansion of US companies and although some observers are concerned about this expansion, most agree that this reflects the stability and neutrality of the Egyptian market and is in its favor in the near and long terms.

Qatar

Israeli Labor challenged on left by new party

Before he sets off to convince Likud voters to join his Labor-Gesher coalition, leader Amir Peretz will have to keep his own voters from turning to a brand-new leftist group.

Israel

IDF takes out Hezbollah targets on Syrian border

Over the past few months, the IDF has increased its operations against Hezbollah, which is taking over abandoned military outposts in the Syrian Golan Heights.

Israel

Behind the scenes: The birth of the Meretz–Barak alliance

In an exclusive interview with Al-Monitor, Meretz Knesset member Issawi Freij, architect of the surprising agreement to merge the electoral lists of Meretz and Ehud Barak's Democratic Israel for the upcoming elections, explains what happened behind the scenes and plans for the future.

Israel

Egypt muzzles media on US peace plan

Egypt's security services issued strict instructions to Egyptian newspapers not to publish any views contrary to the government's official line on the US-proposed Palestian-Israeli peace deal.

Palestine

Apology of Barak to Israeli Arabs: Political but important

Israeli Arabs are well aware that the apology of former Prime Minister Ehud Barak was politically motivated, but they welcome his action nonetheless.

Israel

Abbas preserves security coordination despite its, and his, unpopularity

Ongoing security coordination between Israel and the Palestinian Authority is one of the wonders of the complex relationship between the two parties.

Palestine

Hamas, let down by the Gulf states, revisits ties with Syria

Hamas’ leaders have been exploring the restoration of ties with Syria in light of Gulf countries' engagement with the United States on a peace deal and therefore their increasing normalization of relations with Israel.

Legacy: Gulf

Israel accelerates demolition of Palestinian homes

The Netanyahu government accelerates the demolition of Palestinian homes in East Jerusalem and the West Bank, while increasing construction in settlements.

Palestine