Feature 50,000 Israeli expats fly home to vote in potential boon to Netanyahu rivals Israel prohibits voting from abroad with limited exceptions, and Israelis who spoke to Al-Monitor said they are especially motivated to fly home this year. By Adam Lucente In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change
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
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
EU adopts $130 million aid package for Palestinians The European Commission approved the first part of an aid package for the Palestinians in 2024, with the adoption of the second part expected early next year. Palestine
UNSC passes watered-down Gaza resolution as US refrains from veto The move offered a rare breakthrough at the UNSC after days of intense negotiations to avert a US veto. Palestine
Analysis As Hezbollah clashes intensify, Israel pours cold water on Lebanon deal Hezbollah's increasing provocations give Israel cause for concern, as the country lacks the energy to take on another enemy far more powerful than Hamas. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Can Turkey's Erdogan help push for Palestinian Hamas-Fatah reconciliation? Turkey is pursuing an initiative to gather senior members of Fatah and Hamas at a conference. Turkey
How Starbucks fell from favor with pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian activists The coffee giant is no stranger to frothy accusations of being pro-Israel, and now a pro-Palestinian post on one of its union's social media accounts has sparked a boycott. Israel
Gaza death toll hits 20,000 as UN scrambles to pass humanitarian aid resolution Diplomats in New York are intensely negotiating to find compromise language on a resolution calling for a Hamas-Israel cease-fire acceptable to the United States. Palestine
Could Marwan Barghouti lead post-war Palestinian government? Marwan Barghouti is currently in prison for his role directing attacks against Israelis during the second intifada, but he's also the most popular Palestinian leader by a long shot, fueling news that he could be part of a future prisoner exchange. By Daoud Kuttab In Amman, reporting on Palestinian politics
In Cyprus, Israel's FM says Gaza maritime corridor deal is imminent A plan for a humanitarian maritime corridor from Cyprus to Gaza could take shape in a matter of weeks. Israel
Why is Hamas chief Haniyeh visiting Egypt after Iran meeting in Qatar? Pressure is building on Israel to halt the fighting to allow access to humanitarian aid and the release of hostages. Palestine
