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Israel

May 9, 2026

Tel Aviv 2:11 am

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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

US President Joe Biden (R) speaks with Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan prior to a plenary session of a NATO summit at the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) headquarters in Brussels, on June 14, 2021.

The Takeaway: Pragmatism is the new watchword in US-Turkey relations

Plus: A fresh start for Israel; Iran’s hard-line front-runner on the issues; Egypt’s faltering Palestinian mediation; Saudi-Syria talks; Golani’s makeover.

MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP via Getty Images

Israeli women lead food tech revolution

Israeli women researchers are developing award-winning projects in the fields of food tech and smart agriculture.

EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP via Getty Images

Israeli minister condemns hate slogans during nationalist march

After the controversial flag march in Jerusalem, new Foreign Minister Yair Lapid tweeted, "It is incomprehensible that people can hold the Israeli flag in one hand and shout 'Death to Arabs' at the same time."

EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP via Getty Images)

Ultra-Orthodox jump in Netanyahu's lifeboat

After years of political partnership with former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the ultra-Orthodox are sticking with him all the way to the opposition.

EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP via Getty Images

First mission of Bennett-Lapid government to mobilize US support

One of the first tasks of Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Foreign Minister Yair Lapid is to find a way to work with the administration of US President Joe Biden.

New Foreign Minister Yair Lapid greeted by outgoing Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi at the Foreign Ministry, Jerusalem, June 14 2021.

Israel’s Lapid enthusiastic to take on foreign affairs portfolio

Entering his new office, newly appointed Foreign Minister Yair Lapid told Israeli diplomats that he is there by choice and not by default, and that he is eager to start working with them.

Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid attend a traditional group photo with minsters of the new Israeli government on June 14, 2021 in Jerusalem.

Lapid vows to mend ties with Democrats, change 'reckless' Netanyahu policies

Israel’s Foreign Minister Yair Lapid has vowed to return to a bipartisan approach toward the United States.

EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP via Getty Images

Israeli inauguration as stormy as forecast

The swearing-in featured Likud and Religious Zionism lawmakers cursing and insulting the new government in a taste of what the opposition has in store for new Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and his shaky coalition.

Head of Israel's right-wing Yamina party Naftali Bennett (L) chats with Mansour Abbas, head of the conservative Islamic Raam party, during a special session to vote on a new government at the Knesset, Jerusalem, June 13, 2021.

Participation in Israeli coalition government opens new chapter for Arab parties

Muslim Ra’am under Mansour Abbas made history June 13, becoming the first Arab party ever to be part of the coalition and government.

(L to R) Israel's outgoing prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu shakes hands with his successor, incoming Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, after a special session to vote on a new government at the Knesset in Jerusalem, on June 13, 2021.

Netanyahu era ends as Naftali Bennett sworn-in as Israel’s new PM

Yamina party leader Naftali Bennett was sworn-in late Sunday as Israel’s 13th prime minister, ending 12 years of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rule, and introducing a large new government composed of parties from the right, the center and the left.

Lior Mizrahi/Getty Images

Israeli opposition parties finalize agreements to unseat Netanyahu

The broad alliance signed deals ahead of Sunday's vote of confidence in the incoming Israeli government.

This combination of pictures shows (L to R) leader of Israel's Yesh Atid party Yair Lapid and leader of the Yamina party Naftali Bennett, arriving at the president's residence, Jerusalem, May 5, 2021.

Can Lapid-Bennett coalition keep it together?

Eight years after an alliance was forged between Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid and Yamina leader Naftali Bennett, that brotherhood is getting the latter into the prime minister's seat.