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

Israel cover image

Israel

May 9, 2026

Tel Aviv 12:59 am

19°C

Traffic passes a billboard depicting Iranian ballistic missiles in service, with text in Arabic reading "the honest [person's] promise" and in Persian "Israel is weaker than a spider's web," Valiasr Square, Tehran, April 15, 2024. ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images.

Analysis

CIA report on Iran missiles undercuts Netanyahu as war euphoria dissipates

The findings cast doubt on Israel’s wartime gains and put pressure on Netanyahu’s campaign strategy ahead of elections.

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

People gather at the site of an Israeli airstrike that targeted Beirut's southern suburbs neighborhood of Haret Hreik on May 6, 2026.

Israel strikes Beirut in breach of Lebanon ceasefire

Israel has continued to carry out strikes in southern Lebanon but had not targeted Beirut since the ceasefire took effect.

Amirhossein KHORGOOEI / ISNA / AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

Israel fears Trump seeking Hormuz win while sidestepping Iran nuclear issue

While President Donald Trump keeps pressuring Iran on reopening the Strait of Hormuz, Israel fears the American leader will decide to cut his losses and sideline the nuclear threat.

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

Latest News

Culture

Lebanon's churches, mosques and archaeological sites damaged in Israeli strikes

A man sits watching as Lebanese first responders search for human remains among the rubble the day after a house was targeted in an Israeli airstrike in the southern Lebanese city of Nabatieh, on May 1, 2026.

Analysis

Can Bennett, Lapid unite Israel’s opposition to unseat Netanyahu?

Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs Yair Lapid (L) speaks to outgoing Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, during a meeting at the Knesset (parliament), in Jerusalem on June 30, 2022. - Final approval of the parliament dissolution bill was initially expected by midnight but was postponed to June 30 as coalition and opposition lawmakers sparred over last-minute legislative details, several sources familiar with the parliamentary said. (Photo by Menahem KAHANA / AFP) (Photo by MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP via Getty Images)

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Analysis

Iron Dome in Gulf: How Iran war turned UAE-Israel defense ties operational

AFP via Getty Images

Francesco Schiavi

By Francesco Schiavi

In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance

Samuel Wendel

Senior Market Research Analyst

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Adam Lucente

News and Business Correspondent

In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change

Jack Dutton

Chief Business Correspondent

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech

Ben Caspit

Israel Columnist

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

Francesco Schiavi

In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance

Rina Bassist

Associate Editor (Israel)

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP via Getty Images

New environment minister has ambitious plans for Israel

New Environmental Protection Minister Tamar Zandberg has announced some lofty goals, including raising the target for renewable energy to 40% by 2030.

ABBAS MOMANI/AFP via Getty Images

Routine renewal of immigration regulation tears at Israeli coalition

A temporary Israeli immigration measure's yearly renewal has put the members of the new government in an uncomfortable position.

HAZEM BADER/AFP via Getty Images

Israeli Bedouin lawmaker emerges as weak link in new government

Even though his party is part of Israel’s new coalition, Ra’am Knesset member Saeed Alkharumi is already making waves over his top concern: house demolitions in unrecognized Bedouin villages.

Israeli Defense Minister Naftali Bennett speaks at the Kohelet Policy Forum conference, where he warned Israel would strike a "resounding blow" if attacked by Iran, Jerusalem, Jan. 8, 2020.

Israel’s Bennett says world powers must 'wake up' after Iranian elections

Israel’s new Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and new Foreign Minister Yair Lapid both say that the results of Iran’s presidential elections reflect the country’s true menacing and dangerous intentions.

Pfizer vaccine near Hebron

Palestinian Authority calls off vaccine deal with Israel

The PA said Friday that it wouldn't accept the Pfizer vaccines provided by Israel because the doses were too close to expiring.

IDF Chief Aviv Kochavi makes a statement on Nov. 12, 2019 in Tel Aviv, Israel.

Israeli army chief heading to Washington to restore mutual trust

Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Aviv Kochavi is scheduled to fly to Washington this weekend, with the mission of restoring trust and cooperation between the sides, especially on the Iranian file.

A Palestinian member of a health ministry mobile unit vaccinates elderly Palestinians against the COVID-19 coronavirus, in the village of Dura near Hebron in the occupied West Bank, on June 9, 2021.

Israel to give more than 1 million vaccine doses to Palestinians

In order to accelerate the supply of COVID-19 vaccines to the Palestinians, Israel started transferring 1 million Pfizer doses.

Members of the Israeli security forces detain a Palestinian man in front of the Dome of the Rock mosque following Friday prayers in Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa mosque complex, on June 18, 2021, as Palestinians protested in response to chants by Israeli ultranationalists targeting Islam's Prophet.

Clash at Al-Aqsa Mosque leaves several wounded

The clashes on Friday came as the Israeli military carried out airstrikes in Gaza in response to continuing incendiary balloons.

Israelis demonstrate outside the court as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's corruption trial resumes in occupied East Jerusalem, Feb. 8, 2021.

Netanyahu clings to prime minister’s residence

The Netanyahu family is still living in the official residence on Jerusalem's Balfour Street even though Benjamin Netanyahu is no longer prime minister.

Erdogan and Netanyahu

Why Erdogan may miss Netanyahu

Benjamin Netanyahu’s departure as prime minister of Israel is a loss of sorts for Erdogan when it comes to both domestic and regional politics.

Foreign Minister and Alternate Prime Minister Yair Lapid and Prime Minister Naftali Bennett at their first working meeting since the establishment of the new government, Jerusalem; June 16, 2021.

After Netanyahu, Israel’s Bennett revives paralyzed security Cabinet

Contrary to former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who sidelined and paralyzed the security Cabinet, Israel’s new Prime Minister Naftali Bennett turns it back into an essential link within the decision-making process.

A worker with the Israel Nature and Parks Authority extinguishes a fire in a field near Kibutz Alumim that was reportedly caused by an incendiary balloon launched from the Gaza Strip, Aug. 24, 2020.

For Israel’s new government, Egypt key to calm on border with Gaza

An Israeli delegation is expected to arrive in Cairo in the very near future, to continue discussing with the Egyptians a framework for an arrangement with Hamas.