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Israel

May 9, 2026

Tel Aviv 4:09 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

Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman speaks during a press conference at the Knesset, Jerusalem, Nov. 14, 2018.

Israel’s new finance minister up against ultra-Orthodox

The new finance minister-to-be Avigdor Liberman pushes with all his political might to exclude the ultra-Orthodox from the new government.

JAAFAR ASHTIYEH/AFP via Getty Images

Palestinian officers killed in West Bank firefight with undercover Israeli forces

The two Palestinian officers opened fire on the undercover Israeli forces, reportedly unaware they were conducting a terrorism raid.

Israeli Health Minister Yaakov Litzman gives a statement ahead of the weekly Cabinet meeting, Jerusalem, Feb. 16, 2020.

Israel’s ultra-Orthodox go to opposition, furious with PM-designate

Relegated to the opposition benches and about to lose both budgets and political influence, the ultra-Orthodox parties are angrily attacking Prime Minister-designate Naftali Bennett.

Jewish prayer walk Muslim Quarter Jerusalem

Controversial Jerusalem flag march postponed until after new government sworn in

The controversial flag march in Jerusalem, organized annually by the Israeli right and religious Zionism, will not be held until after the new government is sworn in.

MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP via Getty Images

Could Netanyahu be banned from running for PM again?

Members of the new coalition are pushing forward legislation that would effectively ban Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from running again for the job.

MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP via Getty Images

Large fires erupt near Jerusalem, force evacuations

The fires west of Jerusalem are the latest in a series of blazes to break out near the Israeli city in recent days.

A woman (C) walks with a sign reading in Arabic (top) and Hebrew (bottom) a quote from the Torah's book of Leviticus, "Love your neighbor as yourself," as another (R) holds up one reading bilingually "Together against hate" and another (L) with a sign reading "Unity now," during a demonstration for coexistence between Jews and Arabs in the town of Rosh Pinna in northern Israel on May 13, 2021.

Israeli Arabs, Jews not giving up on coexistence

NGOs, businesses and even private citizens are speaking up in favor of coexistence and against tensions in Israel between Jews and Arabs.

Palestinian-Jordanian Abdullah Abu Jaber, who was jailed in Israel after planting a bomb on a bus that wounded 13 civilians in 2000, is welcomed by his family upon his release at the Sheikh Hussein Crossing between Jordan and Israel on June 8, 2021.

Israel releases from prison Jordanian convicted of bus bombing

Abdullah Abu Jaber was the longest-serving Jordanian in Israeli prisons. Two other Jordanians were released for less serious offenses.

EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP via Getty Images

Israel says Hamas used AP, Al Jazeera building in Gaza to jam Iron Dome

Israel will help rebuild AP offices in Gaza, said its UN ambassador.

MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP via Getty Images

Israeli lawmakers to vote on anti-Netanyahu government Sunday

Parliament speaker Yariv Levin announced the Knesset will hold a vote of confidence this weekend, to be followed by the swearing-in of the new government led by Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid.

MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP via Getty Images

Lapid, not Bennett, to be strongman of Israel’s next government

Naftali Bennett might be the first to serve as prime minister, but alternate Yair Lapid will be the strongman of Israel’s new cabinet.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a Health Ministry-organized appreciation ceremony for health-care system personnel and partner agencies for their contribution during the coronavirus pandemic, Jerusalem, June 6, 2021.

Will Netanyahu fan flames or accept public’s verdict?

Will Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accept the verdict of the Israeli public, or will he try to ignite the flames one last time, before the new government is sworn in?