Analysis How Israel opposition infighting is boosting Netanyahu days before election Discord within the opposition, including its reluctance to name a single candidate for prime minister ahead of the Oct. 27 election, is working in Netanyahu’s favor. By Mazal Mualem In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics
In first, Israel’s Netanyahu says he held call with Syria’s Ahmed al-Sharaa It is the first publicly disclosed contact between the leaders of Israel and Syria, which lack formal relations and have fought several wars. Sharaa’s government began US-mediated talks with Israel in 2025. Syria
Sisi says Egypt has no ‘territorial ambitions’ after Israel’s Smotrich threatens Sinai The Egyptian president’s remarks follow a warning from Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich that Israel would seize the Sinai Peninsula if Egypt attacks. Egypt
Former Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar sues Netanyahu for nearly $1M over Oct. 7 claims Bar is suing for 3 million shekels ($970,000) over a Sept. 28 post on X in which Netanyahu blamed the former Shin Bet chief for Oct. 7 intelligence failures and accused him of withholding warnings. Israel
Exclusive Rights, faith groups urge Congress to block $2.8B bomb sale to Israel By Elizabeth Hagedorn In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights
Analysis Iran’s delayed retaliation against Israel tests Pentagon’s global strategy Uncertainty about an Iranian attack could put Pentagon planners in a bind, as they seek to keep high-maintenance US aircraft carriers and fighter squadrons on nimble rotation schedules and out of lengthy Middle East engagements. By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
Hundreds of Israeli pilgrims pray at Joseph’s Tomb in Nablus Joseph's Tomb in Nablus has often been the site of violent conflicts between Palestinians and Israelis. Israel
What PA's Abbas hopes to gain from Russia’s Putin following Moscow visit Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’ three-day visit to Moscow this week aimed to shore up Russian support for the Palestinian cause at the United Nations and in post-war international forums. By Daoud Kuttab In Amman, reporting on Palestinian politics
Gaza cease-fire talks begin in Doha without Hamas Israeli, American, Egyptian and Qatari representatives are meeting Thursday for another push to finalize a deal to halt the Hamas-Israel war. Israel
Palestinian President Abbas meets Erdogan ahead of speech to Turkey's parliament Abbas’ visit to Turkey comes at a critical time as it remains unclear how relations between the Palestinian Authority and its rival, Hamas, will evolve under Yahya Sinwar's leadership. Turkey
Ben-Gvir’s Temple Mount visit angers both Muslims, ultra-Orthodox Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir's visit to the Temple Mount on the fasting day of Tisha B’Av drew condemnation not only from the Muslim world but also the ultra-Orthodox community. Israel
Iran’s navy conducts drills in north as Israel, region brace for escalation The drills come at a time of heightened tensions in the region, amid an expected Iranian attack against Israel over the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh. Iran
Israel's Netanyahu shakes off credit downgrade as deficit grows Last week, Israel reported that its 12-month trailing deficit widened to 8.1% in July, from 7.7% in June. Israel
US delegations head to Middle East in bid to head off major escalation Iran's diplomatic mission to the UN denied reports that Tehran is seeking a seat at the table for last-ditch Gaza cease-fire talks planned for Thursday. Iran
Putin hosts Abbas as Russia looks for role in ending Gaza war Russia’s President Vladimir Putin and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas held talks in Moscow on first such visit for the Palestinian leader since 2021. Palestine
US says Iran’s attack on Israel 'could be this week' With the timing of Iran's attack unclear, the White House says it's preparing for a "significant set of attacks." Israel
UK, France, Germany leaders urge restart of Gaza cease-fire talks as Hamas reconsiders European leaders, including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz called on Monday for the truce talks to resume, after the mediators did last week. Palestine
