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Israel

August 4, 2026

Tel Aviv 6:05 pm

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What to know about Lebanon-Israel 7th round of talks held in Rome

The US, Israel and Lebanon have sent expanded delegations to the talks, set to continue for three days and expected to focus on security arrangements, border issues and reconstruction.

US President Donald Trump (C) is welcomed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at Ben Gurion International Airport on Oct. 13, 2025 in Tel Aviv, Israel.

Analysis

Lacking leverage over Trump, Israel stays quiet on US-Iran talks

Realizing it has little to no influence over President Donald Trump’s decision-making, the Israeli government has remained silent on the possibility of the United States and Iran resuming negotiations.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

An Egyptian man looks at the Qatari Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) carrier "Duhail" as its passes through the Suez Canal near the Egyptian port city of Ismailia on April 1, 2008. The vessel has a capacity of 210,100 cu.m making it one of the largest LNG carriers constructed to date. AFP PHOTO/STR (Photo credit should read -/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

How strike on Damietta port exposes Egypt's energy infrastructure risks

The unclaimed attack on the port of Damietta could draw Egypt further into the US-Iran conflict as experts point to growing threats to critical infrastructure in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

US President Donald Trump walks to board Marine One on the Ellipse near the White House in Washington, DC, on July 31, 2026. President Trump is traveling to Camp David in Maryland to hold a cabinet meeting and later to Bedminster, New Jersey to spend the weekend at his golf club. (Photo by Oliver Contreras / AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

No Iran commitment, no Trump endorsement: Netanyahu leaves US empty-handed

The Israeli prime minister described Tuesday's meeting with US President Donald Trump was the "best ever," but diplomatic sources say he left the Washington with little tangibles.

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

Latest News

Analysis

Katz riles Iran, US as Netanyahu-Trump meeting raises questions

Win McNamee/Getty Images

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

Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak gestures during the 49th Conference on Security Policy in Munich February 3, 2013. Senior politicians along with the leader of the Syrian opposition are in Munich providing a rare opportunity for talks to revive efforts to end the civil war in Syria. REUTERS/Michael Dalder(GERMANY - Tags: MILITARY POLITICS) - RTR3DAJM

Audio tapes reveal how Ehud Barak attempted to rewrite history with Iran

Associates of former Prime Minister Ehud Barak leaked tapes indicating that Barak supported an attack on Iran in 2012, but other sources suggest that he then changed his mind and was the person who actually blocked an eventual strike.

Israelis mesmerized by bridge demolition

The spectacle surrounding the demolition of the Maariv Bridge reflects Israeli society today: hedonistic, mesmerized by TV shows and hooked on grand media events, escaping the harsh realities of threats from Syria and Gaza.

After Israeli settlers left, these Gazans planted more than eggplants

Since Israeli settlers withdrew in 2005 from south Gaza, the Palestinian government allowed investments in these lands that turned into crops that generate considerable profit despite the water crisis.

Abbas must accept Gaza, West Bank will not unite

A long-term truce between Israel and Hamas could perpetuate Gaza's separation from the West Bank, but that might be the price of dialogue between Israelis and Palestinians toward a future comprehensive agreement.

An Israeli gas platform, controlled by a U.S.-Israeli energy group, is seen in the Mediterranean sea, some 15 miles (24 km) west of Israel's port city of Ashdod, in this file picture taken February 25, 2013. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has won more time to overcome a political hurdle after parliament postponed a vote on authorising the government to secure a deal on developing Israel's natural gas fields. Picture taken February 25, 2013. REUTERS/Amir Cohen/Files - RTX1IDQQ

Israel's natural gas cartel

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's adamance in pursuing a deal for exploiting Israel's natural gas, despite it being roundly criticized by regulators, appears to have tentacles to casino mogul Sheldon Adelson and the US-Israel Business Initiative.

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Netanyahu playing chess, not checkers on Iran deal

Behind closed doors, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu concedes that he can't muster the required congressional majority to override a presidential veto on the Iranian nuclear deal and is therefore aiming for a "resounding moral majority."

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas speaks during an official ceremony commemorating the Egyptian National Day at the Egyptian Embassy in the West Bank city of Ramallah July 27, 2015. Rumblings in Ramallah in recent weeks have raised expectations that Palestinian politics is in play, with 80-year-old Abbas, in power for more than a decade, facing a mounting challenge to his leadership. There is frequent speculation that Abbas, who was elected to a four-year term in 2005 and has not had to face a vote since

Will Abbas sever ties with Hamas for good?

Tensions between Fatah and Hamas are escalating in light of recent accusations against President Mahmoud Abbas of monopolizing the decision-making process and making one-sided decisions.

Workers are seen during the manufacturing process for Egypt's first tablet computer "Inar" at a factory in Benha May 18, 2013. Egypt has produced its very first tablet computer "Inar", part of a national project to distribute the device to students in schools and universities around the country. The Ministry of Military Production in collaboration with the Ministry of Communications presented the scheme last year to Benha Electronics Company known as 'Katron' to manufacture the tablet. Picture taken May 18,

Mystery surrounds Egyptian-Israeli trade ties

Egyptian economic experts oppose an unconfirmed report in the Israeli paper Maariv that an Israeli factory might open in Egypt.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (R) meets Isaac Herzog, leader of Zionist Union party, in the West Bank city of Ramallah August 18, 2015. REUTERS/Mohamad Torokman - RTX1OMX5

Herzog: Abbas worries about 'losing control' of West Bank

Israeli opposition chair Isaac Herzog told Al-Monitor that he urged Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to join the reported contacts between Israel and Hamas and work to create a larger package deal with Israel before he leaves politics.

Outgoing Lieutenant-General Gabi Ashkenazi (C) waves to soldiers as he leaves after a handover ceremony in which he was replaced by the new Chief of Staff Lieutenant-General Benny Gantz (L) at the Kirya base in Tel Aviv February 14, 2011. REUTERS/Baz Ratner (ISRAEL - Tags: POLITICS MILITARY) - RTR2IL8L

Possibility of former IDF Chief of Staff Ashkenazi entering politics has the Israeli public cheering

Yesh Atid head Yair Lapid, Zionist Camp leader Isaac Herzog and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are well aware that former Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi is extremely popular, which could encourage him to enter politics.

Young Palestinians crawl under an obstacle during a military-style exercise at Liberation Youths summer camp, organised by the Hamas movement, in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, August 1, 2015. Hamas stages dozens of military-style summer camps for young Palestinians in the Gaza Strip to prepare them to "confront any possible Israeli attack", organisers said. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RTX1MOQN

Thousands of teens enroll in Hamas summer camps

Al-Qassam Brigades and Hamas have set up camps across the Gaza Strip where future generations of Palestinians can receive training on the Palestinian cause, the proper use of firearms and fighting Israel.

(From L to R) Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius, German Foreign Minister Frank Walter Steinmeier, European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, Head of the Iranian Atomic Energy Organization Ali Akbar Salehi, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond and U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry pose for a group picture at the United Nations b

Israel must wake up and 'recognize reality' of Iran deal

The crisis in Israeli-US ties following the Iranian nuclear agreement demands a fundamental shift in Israeli policy, including Israeli recognition of the deal and an immediate change in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s relationship with the White House.