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May 9, 2026

Tel Aviv 3:56 pm

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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

A projection of an Israeli flag flying before lit candles is displayed on the Old City walls of Jerusalem, as Israel declares a national day of mourning for victims of a stampede during the Lag Ba'Omer holiday at Mount Meron, May 2, 2021,

Israel marks national day of mourning after Mount Meron tragedy

Flags were lowered to half-staff in Israel on May 2, as the country honored the 45 people who perished in the Mount Meron stampede on April 30.

Lebanon's parliament Speaker Nabih Berri (R) meets with US envoy David Schenker (C) and US Ambassador to Algeria John Desrocher (L) in Beirut, Lebanon, Oct. 15, 2020.

US to send mediation team for Israel-Lebanon maritime talks next week

The resumption of talks, which stalled in November, could unlock significant economic benefits for debt-ridden Lebanon.

Despite years of warnings that the site was unsafe for such large events, thousands of worshipers gathered at Mount Meron for a celebration that turned into a nightmare.

Warnings foreshadowed deadly stampede in Israel

Despite years of warnings that the site was unsafe for such large events, thousands of worshipers gathered at Mount Meron for a celebration that turned into a nightmare.

Ultra-Orthodox Jews gather at the grave site of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai at Mount Meron as they celebrate the Jewish holiday of Lag Ba'Omer, marking the anniversary of the death of the Talmudic sage, approximately 1,900 years ago, Israel, April 29, 2021.

Dozens killed at stampede in Israel during religious celebration

At least 45 people were crushed to death during the Lag Ba’Omer celebrations at the Mount Meron site.

Blinken and Cohen

Blinken meets Israel’s Mossad chief to talk Iran

The meeting follows talks earlier this week involving Israeli officials and US national security adviser Jake Sullivan.

Orna Barbivai receives the rank of major general from Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Benny Gantz as her husband and Defense Minister Ehud Barak look on, June 23, 2011.

First woman to head Knesset defense committee

Orna Barbivai, a retired major general, is taking over one of the most enviable positions in Israel's male-dominated security establishment: head of the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee.

Staff of the Palestinian Central Elections Commission display electoral lists ahead of the upcoming general elections, at the commission's local offices in Ramallah in the occupied West Bank, on April 6, 2021.

The Takeaway: Does Hamas win if Abbas delays Palestinian elections?

Plus: Fallout in Turkey from Biden’s designation of genocide in Armenia.

AFP via Getty Images

Netanyahu caves, nominates Gantz for justice minister

After being reprimanded yesterday both by Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit and the High Court, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has nominated Defense Minister Benny Gantz to take on the Justice Ministry as well.

In this handout image provided by Albatross, the Tamar drilling natural gas production platform is seen some 25 kilometers west of the Ashkelon shore in February 2013 in Israel.

Israeli company sells shares in natural gas field to Emirati group

In a demonstration of the economic dividends of the Abraham Accords, Abu Dhabi's Mubadala Petroleum is buying Israeli Delek Drilling’s shares in the Tamar natural gas field.

AHMAD GHARABLI/AFP via Getty Images

How Israeli hurdle in Palestinian elections may benefit Abbas

Israel dragging its feet on allowing Palestinians in east Jerusalem to vote could be just the excuse President Mahmoud Abbas needs to postpone the elections and stop Hamas' likely progress.

Israeli Knesset member Naftali Bennett attends the swearing-in ceremony of Israel's Knesset (parliament) in Jerusalem, on April 6, 2021.

Could Bloc for Change really replace Netanyahu?

Only one week before the deadline Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces, it is unclear whether his opponents have the majority to compose an alternative government.

HAZEM BADER/AFP via Getty Images

Tensions spiral in Jerusalem, Israel’s southern front

Israel is seething with conflict between Jews and Arabs with increasing tension in the West Bank, rocket fire from Gaza and with fear of escalation on the northern border.