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

Palestine cover image

Palestine

September 6, 2026

Ramallah 6:54 pm

24°C

A woman walks past a model of a Lora missile, Israel's long range artillery missile at the Israel defence stall at the international DefExpo 2008 defence fair, in New Delhi on February 16, 2008. India kicked off South Asia's largest defence fair, with hundreds of global weapons firms offering their latest hardware to the country's technology-hungry military. About 450 weapons companies from 30 countries are present at the four-day "DefExpo" in New Delhi, with several big-ticket announcements expected. AFP P

Analysis

LORA missile test reveals limits of Germany’s Gaza criticism of Israel

The German navy tested Israel’s LORA ballistic missile as Berlin considers acquiring the system, deepening defense ties with Israel despite criticism of the Gaza war.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Israeli soldiers arrive in the village of Qusra, south of Nablus in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, which has faced escalating Israeli settler violence over the past month, on Aug. 29, 2026.

Analysis

As Israeli settler attacks mount, Trump avoids public pressure on Netanyahu

President Donald Trump has stayed silent amid a spate of settler attacks on Palestinians and their property in the West Bank.

Elizabeth Hagedorn

By Elizabeth Hagedorn

In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights

Evan Vucci / Getty Images

Analysis

Why Palestinians see success of Trump talks as contingent on Israeli elections

Some view the channel to Jared Kushner as necessary for reaching a political settlement, but others see a US effort to secure Palestinian acquiescence to Trump’s Gaza plans.

Mohammed Najib

By Mohammed Najib

A boy walks carrying a table on his back past salvage workers scrapping the rubble of a building that was destroyed during Israel's war against Hamas in Gaza City on Aug. 16, 2026. — Photo by Omar Al-Qattaa / AFP via Getty Images

Israel, Hamas bide their time as Gaza peace plan stalls

As the Israel-Hamas ceasefire approaches the one-year mark in October, the Board of Peace is under pressure to deliver results in the Gaza Strip.

Latest News

Ex-defense minister: Israel in ‘worst possible’ Gaza situation as Hamas gains strength

Palestinian militant group Hamas police officers stand guard as people attend the opening of the Fatah party's eighth general conference at Al-Azhar University in Gaza City on May 14, 2026.

Turkey seeks Interpol Red Notices for Netanyahu over Gaza flotilla

Murat Kocabas / Middle East Images / AFP via Getty Images

Beatrice Farhat

Associate Editor (Lebanon)

In Beirut, reporting on regional news, culture, conflict

Daoud Kuttab

Palestine Columnist

In Amman, reporting on Palestinian politics

Rasha Abou Jalal

In Gaza City, reporting on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict

Abeer Ayyoub

In Istanbul, reporting on Palestine

Naima Morelli

In Rome, reporting on Middle East culture

Fatima AbdulKarim

In Ramallah, reporting on the West Bank

How will Israel's Blue and White party react to Trump’s plan?

If the Blue and White party aspires to present a real alternative to the Netanyahu government, it must offer a courageous stance vis-a-vis the US Middle East peace plan.

Abbas gets new government, but has anything changed?

Hamas describes the new Fatah-dominated government as illegitimate and says it will only deepen the Palestinian division.

Human rights group documents Hamas abuses

Arrests in the Gaza Strip point at Hamas' harsh treatment of protesters and its civil rights violations.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo speaks during a press conference at the US Department of State in Washington, DC on April 22, 2019. - The United States announced on Monday it will no longer grant sanctions exemptions to Iran's oil customers, potentially punishing allies such as India as it tries to squeeze Tehran's top export. (Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP) (Photo credit should read ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP/Getty Images)

Netanyahu gambles on Trump against Iran

Israel supports the American intention of increasing sanctions against Iran, though pushing Iran against the wall could fire up the Hezbollah front against Israel in Syria.

A general view taken on January 23, 2017 from the Palestinian West Bank village of Deir Estia shows the Israeli Jewish settlement of Alei Zahav (foreground) and the Palestinan village of Jinsafut (background). / AFP / JAAFAR ASHTIYEH (Photo credit should read JAAFAR ASHTIYEH/AFP/Getty Images)

25 years later, Palestinian farmers regain access to their lands

Farmers in the West Bank villages of Jinsafut and Deir Istiya have regained access to their lands in the wake of an Israeli decision that is expected to boost the agricultural sector and create thousands of job opportunities for Palestinians.

Wild plant feeds another thorny conflict between Israel, Palestinians

Palestinian foragers are resisting an Israeli law that bans the picking of aqub, a delicacy whose harvest has long sustained local women.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks with incoming Israeli Chief of Staff Aviv Kohavi during a ceremony whereby he replaces Lieutenant-General Gadi Eizenkot, at the Defense Ministry in Tel Aviv, Israel January 15, 2019. REUTERS/Corinna Kern - RC116DA9AC60

Israel's new army chief redefines missions, capabilities

IDF’s new Chief of Staff Aviv Kochavi is now formulating a new multiyear plan that should address threats such as the thousands of rockets fired at Israeli cities.

A man walks past a Likud election campaign billboard, depicting U.S. President Donald Trump shaking hands with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in Jerusalem February 4, 2019. REUTERS/Ammar Awad - RC1275660830

Netanyahu trapped between Trump, allies

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu needs his far-right coalition against his impending indictment even more than his friendship with US President Donald Trump.

Gazan entrepreneur finds hope in hardship

The young founder of two innovative projects believes that the Gaza Strip needs entrepreneurs and innovators who fight daily challenges.

Israel says Hamas using imported goods to launder money

An Israeli news report claims Hamas is funneling funds into the Palestinian territories by importing goods and reselling them for a profit.

Amman museum displays treasure trove of traditional Palestinian, Jordanian clothing

Widad Kawar has devoted her life to researching Palestinian and Jordan traditional clothing and has amassed a treasure trove over half a century.

Israel accuses Islamic Jihad of obstructing Gaza truce

Israel is accusing the Palestinian Islamic Jihad of seeking to destabilize the security situation in Gaza in a bid to obstruct the Egyptian-brokered understanding concluded with Hamas.