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
Lufthansa cancels night flights to Lebanon as US, others issue travel warnings Several states have issued warnings about travel to Lebanon recently due to the escalating conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. Lebanon
Israeli occupation, Hamas rule, vacuum ‘unacceptable’ in Gaza: Blinken The top US diplomat urged Israel to present a credible post-war governance plan as it shifts to a new, lower-intensity phase in its operations against Hamas. Israel
What’s behind Arab League decision to drop Hezbollah terror label? The move comes as the region is boiling in light of the war in Gaza and the escalating conflict between Lebanon’s Hezbollah and Israel. Lebanon
Israel, China seek new accommodation as fissures grow over Gaza war As Israel and China navigate shifting geopolitical realities and differences over Gaza, they will need to continually reassess the boundaries of their partnership balancing between confrontation and cooperation. Israel
Why is US deploying Marines to East Med amid Israel-Hezbollah tension? The deployment broadens the options available to decision-makers in Washington amid concerns that a threatened Israeli offensive against Hezbollah in Lebanon may trigger a wider regional war. Israel
House spending bill erases UNRWA, Gaza pier funding, blocks refugee resettlement President Joe Biden has threatened to veto the House-passed State, Foreign Operations bill if it reaches his desk. Palestine
As Lebanon braces, four scenarios for Hezbollah's confrontation with Israel As US officials press their leverage to prevent an Israeli war inside Lebanon, fears of a miscalculation have grown in the last few weeks as both Hezbollah and the Israeli military intensify their clashes. Lebanon
India, Jordan join chorus of countries warning against travel to Lebanon The fighting between Lebanon’s Hezbollah and Israel has escalated in recent days, prompting several countries to recommend against travel to Lebanon due to concerns over a war breaking out. Lebanon
Trump calls Biden ‘bad Palestinian’ in Gaza debate jab Former President Donald Trump accused the sitting president of not letting Israel "finish the job" against Hamas. Washington Connection
Israel strikes Syria, hits deeper in Lebanon as Hezbollah tensions grow Strikes believed conducted by Israel have increased inside Syria in response to repeated attacks by pro-Iranian groups against Israel since the Gaza war began. Syria
Norway's largest pension fund divests from Caterpillar, accused of Israel links After the UN dug up dirt on Caterpillar relating to the Gaza war, KLP divested its stake of nearly $70 million in the US industrial company. Israel
Turkey's Erdogan warns Israel against Lebanon war, calls Netanyahu 'mentally ill' The Turkish president's comments have reignited the war of words between Turkey and Israel. Turkey
