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Israel

May 20, 2026

Tel Aviv 1:05 am

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NICOSIA, CYPRUS - APRIL 24: Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa arrives for an informal meeting of European Union leaders on April 24, 2026 in Nicosia, Cyprus. The EU heads of state and government are meeting over two days to discuss the conflict in Iran and the Middle East, including freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, the effects of high fuel prices, and how Europe may contribute to de-escalation and a peace agreement. (Photo by Byron Smith/Getty Images)

Syria's Sharaa renews ban on Israeli imports in customs law: What to know

The renewal comes even as Damascus pursues US-backed security talks with Israel aimed at reducing tensions along the border.

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.

Somaliland's first ambassador to Israel announces embassy in Jerusalem: What to know

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

A bride and group couple rides in a military jeep arriving for a public mass wedding ceremony at Imam Hossein Square in Tehran on May 18, 2026. Iran said on May 18 that it had responded to a new US proposal aimed at ending the war, adding that diplomatic exchanges continue despite Iranian media reports describing Washington's demands as excessive. Washington and Tehran have been swapping proposals in an effort to end the conflict which the US and Israel launched on February 28, but they have held only a sin

Analysis

Israel pushes for full Iran blockade as it awaits Trump's next move

Israel’s preferred strategy, sources told Al-Monitor, calls for a comprehensive naval, economic, land and air blockade of Iran, alongside tighter sanctions and covert activity aimed at destabilizing the regime.

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

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.

Latest News

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

talks

Analysis

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

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.

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

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

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

Netanyahu forsakes multilateralism in favor of bilateral alliances

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has adopted President Donald Trump’s negative approach against UN agencies and international groups.

Should Netanyahu be indicted in court or at the ballot box?

Even the world’s top pro-Israel advocate attorney, Alan Dershowitz — the greatest fan of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu — is warning against Israel’s status quo policy.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a dialogue with Robin Li (not pictured), founder and chief executive of Chinese search engine Baidu, in Beijing, China March 21, 2017. REUTERS/Jason Lee - RC1A319E7A70

Intel: How Israel is trying to calm growing US fears over its China connections

Palestinian PM amends controversial regulation to exclude Jerusalemites

A controversial decision ordering Palestinian homeowners to seek approval of government agencies before renting to any person with an Israeli ID produced a big reaction from East Jerusalem residents, prompting the order to later be amended to exclude them.

Ayelet Shaked, Israel's new Justice Minister of the far-right Jewish Home party, attends a ceremony at the Justice Ministry in Jerusalem May 17, 2015. REUTERS/Gali Tibbon/Pool/File Photo - S1BEUKSEQVAA

Sex scandal shakes Israelis' trust of judicial system

The sex scandal involving head of the Israeli Bar Association Effi Naveh is shaking all of Israeli society, generating mistrust against judges and their integrity.

JERUSALEM, ISRAEL - DECEMBER 26: (ISRAEL OUT) Miri Regev, Israel's Minister of Culture and Sport waves during a discussion to vote on the dissolution of the Israeli Parliament in the Knesset on December 26, 2018 in Jerusalem, Israel. Party leaders in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing coalition, which has a thin majority, decided to dissolve the government and call for elections in April, eight months earlier than required by law. (Photo by Lior Mizrahi/Getty Images)

Why Israel’s culture minister defended Haifa’s Christians

Christians in Haifa demanded that the McJesus sculpture be removed from the Haifa Museum of Art, but they certainly did not ask for provocative Culture Minister Miri Regev to intervene.

Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) poses with Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) for a ceremonial ceremonial swearing in picture on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., January 3, 2019. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts - RC1A408A84A0

Pro-Palestinian lawmaker shakes up Israel status quo with seat on foreign affairs panel

A lawmaker supportive of boycotting Israel has joined the House Foreign Affairs Committee, complicating congressional efforts to pass anti-boycott legislation.

EDITORS' NOTE: Reuters and other foreign media are subject to Iranian restrictions on their ability to report, film or take pictures in Tehran.

Iran's Armed Forces Chief of Staff Hassan Firouzabadi (L) and Revolutionary guards commander Mohammad Ali Jafari salute during a parade to commemorate the anniversary of the Iran-Iraq war (1980-88), in Tehran September 22, 2011. REUTERS/Stringer (IRAN - Tags: POLITICS MILITARY ANNIVERSARY) - GM1E79M1GOU01

IRGC head vows to protect military advisers in Syria

The head of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has responded to comments by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about successful Israeli strikes in Syria.

Tourists look at the Dome of the Rock, located in Jerusalem's Old City on the compound known to Muslims as Noble Sanctuary and to Jews as Temple Mount, June 21, 2018. REUTERS/Ammar Awad - RC1DA4402840

Is Israel spying on its visitors?

Foreign visitors attending conferences in Israel are being asked to complete a form accounting for their free time and the names and phone numbers of the people with whom they expect to have contact.

Jerusalem tensions rise without security coordination

The lack of coordination between Israelis and Palestinians at Al-Aqsa Mosque is threatening to dial up tensions at the disputed site.

Palestinian policemen loyal to Hamas stand guard as fuel tankers enter Gaza through the Rafah border between Egypt and southern Gaza Strip June 21, 2017. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa - RC12075B1A70

Expect trade activity boost between Egypt, Gaza Strip

Egypt and Hamas are exploring trade options, including a new border crossing, that would skirt Israel and the Palestinian Authority.

Israel’s nationality law takes over election campaign

The courageous statement by former IDF Chief Benny Gantz about amending the nationality law brought the issue back to the public agenda and to the election campaign.