Analysis Trump’s Gaza plan under fire as Israel restricts flood aid More than a year after President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire to end the war in Gaza, Israel continues to restrict the delivery of shelter materials and rubble-clearing machinery. By Elizabeth Hagedorn In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights
Explainer What does Nvidia CEO’s resignation mean for the Middle East’s AI buildout? Jensen Huang’s sudden resignation amid an explosive espionage scandal has thrown the future of the world’s most valuable chipmaker into uncertainty, potentially creating fallout that could buffet the Middle East's technology sector at a crucial moment. Saudi Arabia
Eisenkot meets Netanyahu in bid to avoid Iran strikes Yashar leader Gadi Eisenkot met Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for a security briefing amid opposition concerns that the government could launch a military operation against Iran. Israel
France, US push rival UNIFIL plans ahead of Lebanon mandate expiry With the mandate of the UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon due to expire in six weeks, France and the United States are advancing sharply different proposals for the country's future after UNIFIL's departure. Israel
Analysis Trump officials look past Netanyahu, push Eisenkot to form government quickly By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Israeli strikes on Syria hit Iranian weapons destined for Hezbollah Syrian military sources tell Al-Monitor that Israeli warplanes struck storage depots with Iranian weapons that were to be sent to Hezbollah in Lebanon. Israel
Hamas in Turkey on alert after Israeli complaint Hamas officials in Turkey are taking precautions after Israel’s complaint to NATO against Ankara for hosting the Palestinian Islamist group, fearing that Israel might resume assassinating its leaders abroad. Palestine
US must encourage Israeli voters to seek end to conflict While Israeli voters prepare for elections, US President Barack Obama should not echo former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's unconditional support for Israel: He should instead show voters the price of their leaders' refusal to negotiate with the Palestinians. Israel
Israel's midsized parties create unstable coalition Ever since the late Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's decision to create the Kadima Party, Israeli politics has been suffering from an ongoing trend of big parties splitting into small and medium-sized parties, leading to dysfunctional coalitions. Israel
After attack, Israelis show support for bilingual school Around 2,000 people from across Israel — Jews and Arabs, religious and secular — marched in support of the Hand in Hand bilingual school in Jerusalem after it was tagged and set on fire by extremists. Israel
Israeli fly-over coincides with attack on Lebanese army A day after the Lebanese army was ambushed in Baalbek on Dec. 2, Israeli aircraft violated Lebanese airspace in the same area, raising questions about a possible cooperation between Israel and Syrians on the border with Lebanon. Israel
France promotes regional framework for Mideast conflict French President François Hollande has decided to promote an initiative to convene an international Middle East peace conference out of concern that the current political stalemate might lead to further escalation in East Jerusalem and the West Bank. Palestine
Kerry calls Iran airstrikes on Islamic State 'positive' Iran takes action against the Islamic State in Iraq; Obama administration cautious on Turkish buffer zone proposal; Turkey’s border under scrutiny; Russia’s diplomatic surge; Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman says "courageous" peace plan offers "painful concessions." Israel
Low turnout expected in Israeli elections The 2013 Israeli government promised reforms in education, transport, housing prices and cost of living, but the early elections set for March 17 have cut short the formulation of these reforms, disappointing large parts of the public. Israel
Ahead of elections, Lapid rebukes Netanyahu on US tensions Elections in Israel are usually decided over issues such as security, the economy or the personalities of the candidates, but this time it seems as if the serious crisis between the United States and Israel will be part of the agenda. Israel
Who will replace Netanyahu as prime minister? The main agenda of the forthcoming Israeli elections will not revolve around security issues or the economy, but will focus on removing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from the premier's seat — his rivals each running separately. Israel
Voter apathy expected to linger among Israeli Arabs It's unlikely that the upcoming early elections will encourage disappointed Israeli Arabs to show en mass at the ballot boxes, though they are a political force to reckon with. Israel