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Israel

May 19, 2026

Tel Aviv 2:46 pm

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Men gather around the husk of a destroyed pickup truck that was driven by a local shepherd who was reportedly struck by Israeli forces and buried by locals at a grave nearby, in the Najaf desert in southwestern Iraq, on May 12, 2026.

What we know about secret Israeli bases in Iraq

Iraqi authorities have said there are no longer any hostile forces operating in its territory.

Somaliland’s first ambassador to a foreign country formally, Mohamed Hagi, presented his diplomatic credentials in Jerusalem to Israeli President Isaac Herzog, on May 18, 2026.

Israel accredits Somaliland's first ambassador: What to know

Israel was the first country to recognize the breakaway region on the Horn of Africa last year.

talks

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

Latest News

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

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

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

A man walks past a Likud election campaign billboard, depicting U.S. President Donald Trump shaking hands with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in Jerusalem February 4, 2019. REUTERS/Ammar Awad - RC1275660830

How US plan for Mideast could shape next Israeli government

US President Donald Trump plans to present his "deal of the century" after the Israeli elections but before a new government is formed, when it could affect the new coalition's formation.

A youth wearing a yarmulke with a Star of David looks towards a temporary pier at the Sea of Galilee in northern Israel November 1, 2018. Picture taken November 1, 2018. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun - RC19DCD86960

Israeli city breaks with status quo on the Sabbath

An initiative by the mayor of Tiberias for the municipality to help provide public transportation on the Sabbath has caused the issue of the social status quo to the forefront of public discussion.

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence, Polish President Andrzej Duda and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu talk during the family photo at the Middle East conference at the Royal Castle in Warsaw, Poland, February 13, 2019. REUTERS/Kacper Pempel - RC18F180B8B0

Trump allies hijack Warsaw summit with calls for Iran war, regime change

Giuliani's meeting with Iranian opposition group and Israeli prime minister's tweet about war with Iran gets conference on promoting peace in the Middle East off to problematic start.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrives to the weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem February 3, 2019. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun - RC1C1651BBA0

Why did Netanyahu confirm Israeli attack in Syria?

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that Israel attacked Iranian targets in Syria on Feb. 11, reflecting the intensified battle by the Israel Defense Forces against Iranian entrenchment there.

Will Palestine finally recognize local evangelicals?

In light of the growing influence of Christian Zionism in the West, the Palestinian leadership is revisiting recognition of evangelicals in the Palestinian territories and engaging local evangelicals to speak with Western Christians about support for Israel and the Palestinian movement.

Will Israeli Jews support Arab Knesset candidate?

Ahead of April 9 elections, Jewish voters on the left have surprisingly come out in support of Taal, headed by Israeli Arab Knesset member Ahmad Tibi.

Challenges in Jerusalem, Gaza threaten Palestinian legislative elections

The Palestinian Authority must be able to hold elections in East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip for the polls to be legitimate.

People walk past a campaign poster of Benny Gantz, a former Israeli armed forces chief and the head of a new political party, Israel Resilience, in Jerusalem, January 29, 2019 REUTERS/Ammar Awad - RC16AFABDBD0

Ahead of elections, Israel fears foreign cyber meddling

Israeli experts warn against foreign manipulation on social networks ahead of the elections, but also against lack of regulation in the war against cyber-attacks.

Hamas, others say Israel's new border wall can't stop attacks

Israel is spending 3 billion shekels to build a steel barrier along the Gaza border that Palestinians and even Israelis believe will not be 100% effective against Hamas-built tunnels.

Avi Gabbay (L), chairman of Israel's Labour Party, arrives to vote during the primaries of the party in the coastal city of Tel Aviv on February 11, 2019. - The 120-seat parliament general elections will be held on April 9, 2019. (Photo by JACK GUEZ / AFP) (Photo credit should read JACK GUEZ/AFP/Getty Images)

Diminished Israeli Labor Party explores new niche in social justice

Israel's once-powerful Labor Party is no longer perceived as a viable alternative to the ruling Likud, but it could re-establish itself as a fresh, young social justice platform.

Abbas’ speech at African Union, an Israeli failure?

On the backdrop of significant efforts by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to strengthen ties with Africa, the invitation of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to speak at the African Union summit could be considered as an Israeli failure.

A Palestinian sifts through garbage for salvageable items at a local dump site, in the east of Gaza City September 2, 2013. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem (GAZA - Tags: ENVIRONMENT SOCIETY) - GM1E9921JCZ01

Can Gaza get a handle on its waste problem?

With Gaza's waste disposal crisis now affecting Israeli communities across the border, Israel has approved the construction of a UN-funded waste recycling plant in Gaza.