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

Israel cover image

Israel

May 30, 2026

Tel Aviv 3:00 pm

28°C

Smoke rises following an Israeli airstrike in Jarjoua, southern Lebanon, on May 13, 2026.

Lebanon and Israel hold military talks at Pentagon despite Israeli offensive: What to know

A renewed Israeli offensive in southern Lebanon aims to extract concessions from Beirut in US-brokered diplomatic talks, but Lebanese military officials say there is no path forward until Israel halts its attacks and returns to the April ceasefire.

PALM BEACH, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 29: (EDITOR'S NOTE: Alternate crop) U.S. President Donald Trump welcomes Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to his Mar-a-Lago club on December 29, 2025 in Palm Beach, Florida. The two leaders are scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting to discuss regional security in the Middle East as well as the U.S.-Israel partnership. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Exclusive

Trump 'hit the brakes': Netanyahu's circle faults US president for failed Iran regime change, looming deal

With regime in Iran still standing and a possible US-Iran agreement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stands to pay the ultimate political price as elections near in Israel.

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

Ibrahim AMRO / AFP via Getty Images

Israel strikes Lebanon's capital Beirut for first time in 3 weeks: What to know

According to Israeli media, Ali al-Husseini, the commander of the missile unit in the Imam Hussein Division, a brigade affiliated with Iran’s Quds Force that operates alongside Hezbollah, was the target of the attack.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, (R) shakes hands with Viktor Orban, Hungary's prime minister, during a news conference on April 3, 2025 in Budapest, Hungary.

With Hungary’s ICC U-turn, Israel loses a key European ally

Hungary’s parliament voted to remain in the International Criminal Court, reversing a planned withdrawal and marking a shift in Budapest’s approach to Israel and the EU.

Latest News

Who was Mohammed Odeh, Hamas military commander killed by Israel in Gaza?

Omar AL-QATTAA / AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

'Very bad news’: Israel alarmed as Trump pushes ahead toward Iran deal

Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

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

Israel strikes near Lebanon’s Qaraoun dam as war intensifies: What to know

A partial view shows a drainage vacuum hole on the lake of Qaraoun in Lebanon's southern Beqaa Valley on April 5, 2019.

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

Israeli Arab lawmakers from the Joint Arab List (from L to R) Osama Saadi, Ahmed Tibi, Ayman Odeh, Masud Ganaim and Haneen Zoabi stand in front of the Dome of the Rock during a visit to the compound known to Muslims as Noble Sanctuary and to Jews as Temple Mount in Jerusalem's Old City July 28, 2015. REUTERS/Ammar Awad - RTX1M321

Controversial bill threatens Israel's Arab MKs with suspension

The Knesset is getting closer to passing the proposed suspension bill, which some fear would allow Arab members to be suspended over loosely defined violations.

Egyptian activists shout slogans against President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and his government, during a demonstration protesting the government's decision to transfer two Red Sea islands to Saudi Arabia, in front of the Press Syndicate in Cairo, Egypt, April 13, 2016. The sign reads, "We will not surrender and will not sell, we will not let our rights be lost". REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RTX29S7P

Cairo tries to reassure citizens and Israel amid island controversy

The announcement that Egypt would be ceding control of two disputed Red Sea islands to Saudi Arabia has provoked outrage domestically and raised concerns in Israel.

Is Israel forming an alliance with Egypt and Saudi Arabia?

Israel estimates that strengthening Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and maintaining a dialogue with Saudi Arabia are key elements for the region's stability.

Is Hamas open to direct negotiations with Israel?

Hamas leaders say the movement is not against negotiating directly with Israel, but is wary given Israel's failure to abide by its previous agreements with the Palestinians.

How Netanyahu keeps sidelining the Knesset

In an interview with Al-Monitor, Zionist Camp leader Merav Michaeli argues that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's consistent attempts to bypass the Knesset are a dangerous game.

When is a terrorist a terrorist?

The Israeli public and its leaders are trapped in their thinking about who is a terrorist, and that bodes ill for peace.

Former Israeli president Moshe Katsav (2nd R) walks towards the entrance to Maasiyahu prison in Ramle, near Tel Aviv, December 7, 2011. Katsav began serving a seven-year prison term for rape on Wednesday, professing his innocence and saying he was being "buried alive". The case has captivated the country for more than five years and marked the first time a former Israeli head of state has been jailed. Officials say it proves no one is above the law. REUTERS/Baz Ratner (ISRAEL - Tags: POLITICS CRIME LAW) -

Is Israel seeing a shift on sexual violence?

A parole board refused the request by former President Moshe Katsav for early release in part because he did not express regret for the sexual assaults for which he was convicted.

Protesters take part in a rally calling for social justice and a lower cost of living in Rabin square in Tel Aviv October 29, 2011. About 20,000 people marched in Tel Aviv on Saturday evening and then gathered at Rabin square in the first protest after about two months following a wave of social protests around Israel. REUTERS/Daniel Bar On (ISRAEL - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST BUSINESS) ISRAEL OUT. NO COMMERCIAL OR EDITORIAL SALES IN ISRAEL - RTR2TE9N

Why Israel's millennials refuse to leave home

Israeli parents accuse their 30- and 40-year-old children of being spoiled and uncommitted to work hard as they did, while children blame them for handing over a country in a dire economic and security situation.

Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah speaks to journalists during a news conference on the sidelines of the Asian African Conference in Jakarta April 21, 2015. REUTERS/Beawiharta - RTX19LQQ

Palestinian PM says he is 'bitterly disappointed' in US

In an interview from Ramallah with Al-Monitor, PA Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah says Palestine is ready for statehood as soon as Israel ends the occupation.

Will reports of hospital segregation spark debate on racism in Israel?

The scandal on the segregation of Jewish women and Arab women in Israeli hospitals has succeeded in breaking the long-held public silence on racism and discrimination.

Will Ya'alon leave Likud?

With the Likud veering toward the radical right, Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon might be tempted to leave in favor of a moderate-right party.

How Hebron shooting highlights shift in Israeli society

Contrary to the first intifada, where violations of the IDF code of ethics was considered shocking, many Israelis now support soldiers who act immorally.