Israel - AL-MONITOR: The Middle Eastʼs leading independent news source since 2012

Israel cover image

Israel

July 25, 2026

Tel Aviv 3:05 am

25°C

GIL COHEN-MAGEN / AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

Ahead of Trump meeting, Netanyahu lays groundwork for Israel to rejoin Iran war

Reports of an Iranian espionage ring and nuclear centrifuges movement could help Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu make the case to the Israeli public and Donald Trump to rejoin the war, ahead of a critical election in October.

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

David's Sling.

Explainer

As Turkey rivalry heats up, Greece to acquire $4B Israeli air defense system

The Greek defense minister said that the air defense system will be operational within 35 months.

Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Trump says Saudi nuclear deal 'totally subject' to Israel normalization

Saudi Arabia has previously said normalized relations with Israel would require an irreversible path to Palestinian statehood.

Latest News

Israel fears US deal would allow Saudi Arabia to enrich uranium

US President Donald Trump (R) and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shake hands as they arrive to speak to journalists during a joint press conference at Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence in Palm Beach, Florida, on Dec. 29, 2025.

Analysis

Why Mamdani concluded he can’t arrest Israel’s PM Netanyahu

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani speaks during a primary-night watch party for NYC Congressional candidate Claire Valdez at 99 Scott Studio on June 23, 2026 in the East Williamsburg neighborhood of the Brooklyn borough in New York City.

Adam Lucente

By Adam Lucente

In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change

Analysis

Israel draws line on Houthi attacks, hopes for Trump strike on Pickaxe Mountain

FILE PHOTO: A satellite view shows tunnel entrances at Pickaxe Mountain, of the Natanz nuclear facility, near Natanz, Iran, June 30, 2026. Vantor/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo

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

Palestinian Hamas official Salah al-Bardawil speaks during a press conference at a hotel in Cairo on January 14, 2009 after ending a round of talks with Egyptian officials. Hamas has accepted an Egyptian ceasefire proposal to end the war in the Gaza Strip and Cairo is awaiting Israel's response, a senior Egyptian diplomat told AFP today. AFP PHOTO/CRIS BOURONCLE (Photo credit should read CRIS BOURONCLE/AFP/Getty Images)

How Israel is using Hamas to crack down on Palestinian demonstrators

Hamas has been trying to present itself as the leader of the Great Return March protests to the dismay of many Palestinians, who believe that this gives Israel more credibility and grounds to use violence against peaceful demonstrators dubbed as terrorists.

Yahya Sinwar leader of the Islamist Hamas movement in the Gaza Strip, speaks during a protest east of Khan Yunis, in the southern Gaza Strip on April 6, 2018, demanding the right to return -- meaning Palestinian refugees being allowed to go back to the land they fled or were expelled from during the 1948 war surrounding Israel's creation. - Clashes erupted on the Gaza-Israel border a week after similar demonstrations led to violence in which Israeli force killed 19 Palestinians, the bloodiest day since a 20

Can Hamas spin itself out of crisis?

Recent remarks by Hamas Gaza leader Yahya Sinwar about Iran assisting the movement to grow stronger are intended to sideline criticism within the Gaza Strip against it, and to pressure Israel into accepting a long-term cease-fire.

Palestinian and Arab Israeli protesters wave Palestinian flags as they march for the right of return for Palestinian refugees who fled their homes or were expelled during the 1948 war that followed the creation of the state of Israel, during the 70th anniversary of the Jewish state's founding, near Haifa in northern Israel, on April 19, 2018. (Photo by AHMAD GHARABLI / AFP) (Photo credit should read AHMAD GHARABLI/AFP/Getty Images)

Palestinians in Israel speak up against hate speech, police brutality

Police brutality has become a common refrain among Arab Israelis who dare demonstrate against oppression and hate speech.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (C), Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Al Hamdallah (L) and The Secretary General of The Organisation Of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Yousef Ahmed Al-Othaimeen (R) address a press conference at the extraordinary summit of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Istanbul early May 19, 2018. - The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) held an extraordinary summit in Istanbul to show solidarity with the Palestinian people following the opening of US Embassy in Jer

How serious is OIC in condemning US, Israel?

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation stressed during an emergency meeting on the violence in Gaza the need to impose economic and political sanctions against countries supporting the transfer of the US Embassy to Jerusalem, yet some question if any action will actually follow.

Palestinian demonstrators chant slogans during a protest demanding the right to return to their homeland, at the Israel-Gaza border, east of Gaza City May 18, 2018. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem - RC1239061830

Fatah exits Great Return March, Hamas won't stop

Fatah is ending its involvement in the Great Return March, accusing rival Palestinian faction Hamas of changing and diluting the event's focus.

Compromise is possible on Palestinian right of return

There is room to negotiate between Israeli resistance and Palestinian insistence on the right of return: the monetary compensation that polls show most Palestinian refugees already favor.

Israel’s 'anger diplomacy' leads nowhere

Boycotting the UN Human Rights Council over its call to probe into incidents in the Gaza Strip harms Israel’s interests and closes the door on dialogue.

Chief of the Israeli police, Commissioner Roni Alsheikh (C), leaves after speaking to the press at the Western Wall in Jerusalem, on the ongoing tensions surrounding the Al-Aqsa mosque compound on July 27, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / GALI TIBBON (Photo credit should read GALI TIBBON/AFP/Getty Images)

Why Netanyahu wants to replace Israel's police chief

Israel's Minister of Public Security Gilad Erdan tries maneuvering between good governance practices and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s desire to replace the head of Israel Police, Roni Alsheikh.

Israel’s defense minister toughens campaign against Israeli Arabs

Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman outdid himself in his latest salvo against the country’s Arab lawmakers.

Are Trump, Netanyahu trying to topple Iranian regime?

Some Israeli security experts fear that an overly tough anti-Iranian policy could backfire at attempts to topple the ayatollah regime, uniting the Iranian people behind its leadership.

A demonstrator gestures during a protest where Palestinians demand the right to return to their homeland, at the Israel-Gaza border, east of Gaza City May 18, 2018. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem - RC1B62698010

The truth about Gaza

Misleading and untrue information about the recent demonstrations and violence on the Gaza border have concealed the fact that the Great Return March was planned and conducted as a nonviolent protest by the Palestinians.

Israeli right shifts stance on Armenian genocide amid Turkey spat

Israeli lawmakers on the right are finally set to recognize the "Armenian Holocaust" — but perhaps just to spite Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and score points with their bases.