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Israel

May 20, 2026

Tel Aviv 6:52 pm

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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

Latest News

What we know about secret Israeli bases in Iraq

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.

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

Cease-fire agreement sends tremors through Israeli Knesset

While Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s cease-fire agreement with Gaza led Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman to submit his resignation, it also led the opposition to call for early elections.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends a session of the plenum of the Knesset, the Israeli Parliament, in Jerusalem, March 12, 2018. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun - RC1C0029F120

Will Netanyahu’s coalition collapse?

Facing the danger of a negative vote, the narrow coalition of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was forced to withdraw two bills that were set to be approved this week.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivers a statement to the members of the media in Tel Aviv, Israel November 18, 2018. REUTERS/Corinna Kern - RC1117126B60

Netanyahu's security has little to do with peace

Instead of focusing on a lasting peace with Gaza and the best way to achieve it, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has built his security policies on existential threats.

Qatari grant provides temporary relief for some in Gaza

A $150 million Qatari grant shows signs of providing some respite to long-suffering Palestinians in Gaza and producing a slight boost to Gaza’s economy, but is not a solution to the humanitarian crisis plaguing the enclave.

Israeli Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked delivers a statement to members of the media, at the Knesset, Israel's parliament, in Jerusalem November 19, 2018. REUTERS/Amir Cohen - RC111FFCA050

Gender discrimination back in vogue under Israel's conservative judges

Israeli democracy suffered a heavy blow this week when conservative justices appointed by Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked denied a woman who cheated on her husband her half of their apartment.

When Yara met Fadi: Gazans help couple pick up pieces after Israeli strike

"I will wait for you even if it takes 60 years," a young man from Gaza promised his Syrian fiancee before an Israeli airstrike delayed their long-awaited marriage.

Gaza security tracking down suspects in recent Israeli raid

Security services in the Gaza Strip have arrested Palestinians accused of collaborating with Israeli forces in a foiled mission in Khan Yunis.

Will Airbnb settlement ban lead other online giants to follow suit?

Palestinians are hoping other online giant companies will also boycott Israel and its settlement activities after Airbnb decided to remove its listings from Israeli settlements in the West Bank.

Palestinians inspect the site of an Israeli air strike on a building, in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip November 12, 2018. REUTERS/Suhaib Salem - RC1EBB13A230

Hamas, Israel in intelligence duel

The botched Israeli undercover operation in the Gaza Strip could be disastrous for Israel’s methods of operation behind enemy lines.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (L), Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon (R) and Chief of Staff General Benny Gantz (C) give a joint press conference at the prime minister's office in Jerusalem, on August 27, 2014. Netanyahu said that Islamist foe Hamas had achieved none of its demands in a truce ending 50 days of deadly conflict in Gaza. Hamas was hit hard and got none of its demands," Netanyahu said at a news conference in Jerusalem, his first comments since the ceasefire went into effect on A

Former IDF head spooks Israel's entire political spectrum

Culture Minister Miri Regev's attacks on former IDF chief of staff reflect wide and growing concerns that the popular Benny Gantz will shake up the political system.

How Netanyahu outdid his rivals, again

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is the expert in exploiting security threats for political means, which is what he did in his speech after the resignation of Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman.

Airbnb battle threatens Israeli tourism industry

Tourism Minister Yariv Levin is willing to sacrifice Israel's tourism industry for the sake of his pro-settlement ideology and the fight against the boycott movement.