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

Israel cover image

Israel

May 18, 2026

Tel Aviv 8:43 pm

23°C

Somaliland’s first ambassador to a foreign country formally, Mohamed Hagi, presented his diplomatic credentials in Jerusalem to Israeli President Isaac Herzog, on May 18, 2026.

Israel accredits Somaliland's first ambassador: What to know

Israel was the first country to recognize the breakaway region on the Horn of Africa last year.

talks

Lebanon-Israel ceasefire extended 45 days as US opens security talks

The Pentagon will host Israeli and Lebanese military delegations for a round of separate security talks later this month.

US President Donald Trump talks to UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan as he departs the Al Bateen Executive Airport on May 15, 2025, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Analysis

‘A reckless act’: Netanyahu sparks UAE fury by claiming secret visit

Just as UAE-Israeli relations were deepening through cooperation against Iran, the Israeli prime minister publicly embarrassed Abu Dhabi by revealing his March visit.

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

Israel's Netanyahu suing New York Times over column on Palestinian rape

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Gideon Saar rejected New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof's accusations of systematic sexual abuse and rape of Palestinian prisoners, calling the claims a "blood libel."

Latest News

Analysis

Israel’s drone dilemma: Hezbollah’s low-cost threat reshapes Lebanon front

Artillery units are positioned near the Lebanese border in northern Israel, May 4, 2026.

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

EU ministers agree to sanction violent West Bank settlers: What to know

Two men stand next to the burned remains of a Palestinian vehicle in the Wadi al-Rakhim area of Susya village in Masafer Yatta, south of Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, on May 1, 2026.

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

What triggered Hamas' attacks on the West Bank?

Hamas has claimed responsibility for recent deadly attacks on the West Bank, raising tensions and expectations of more to come.

Netanyahu's own ministers dare him to fire them

Nine of the Israeli prime minister's cabinet members took part in a demonstration this week against the government’s policy, knowing full well that Benjamin Netanyahu cannot afford to unseat them.

A Palestinian gestures as smoke rises during clashes with Israeli troops near the Jewish settlement of Beit El, near Ramallah, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank December 13, 2018. REUTERS/Mohamad Torokman - RC160B728C10

Netanyahu’s government increases tensions in West Bank

Instead of trying to calm tensions, the Netanyahu government advances bills encouraging the settlement enterprise and deepening the occupation.

Hezbollah's tunnels distract Israel from real dangers

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's focus on Hezbollah and its tunnels in the north is enabling Iran and Hamas to increase their grip on Gaza and inch closer to the West Bank.

How Israel's right wing won battle against Haifa deputy mayor

A wide political and media frenzy was sparked by the appointment of Raja Zaatry as deputy mayor of Haifa, leading to his resignation.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas waves during a ceremony marking the 14th anniversary of the death of late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat in Ramallah, in the occupied West Bank November 11, 2018. REUTERS/Mohamad Torokman - RC1A3F5BBDB0

Fatah shows rare support for Hamas

The Palestinian presidency worked hard to ensure a US-drafted resolution against Hamas failed at the United Nations, which has raised modest hopes of bringing Hamas and Fatah closer together.

Israeli security forces and emergency personnel work at the scene of what an initial report from the Israeli army said was a shooting attack, near the Israeli settlement of Ofra, in the occupied West Bank December 9, 2018. REUTERS/Ammar Awad - RC15E50E3400

Netanyahu threatens to withdraw from Hamas arrangement

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is paying the price for not demanding the arrangement with Hamas include a comprehensive cease-fire that includes the West Bank.

Hamas goes on offense in West Bank

Palestinian protests continue in Ramallah over Israeli incursions.

A Palestinian moves a burning tire during clashes with Israeli troops near the Jewish settlement of Beit El, near Ramallah, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank December 13, 2018. REUTERS/Mohamad Torokman - RC110351F370

Violence escalates amid Israeli raid of Ramallah

Israeli incursions into Ramallah, along with the absence of a political horizon for Palestinians, portend a continuation of recent violence.

Israel's Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon speaks during a meeting of the United Nations (UN) Security Council at UN headquarters in New York, U.S., February 20, 2018. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson - RC1BF641D020

Will Israel ever learn from its UN mistakes?

The failure by the United State and Israeli to pass a resolution condemning Hamas suggest that Israel needs to examine its understanding of the limits of its Middle Eastern relations and adjust its attitude toward the United Nations.

Israeli forces are seen at the scene of a shooting attack near Ramallah in the Israeli-occupied West Bank December 13, 2018. REUTERS/Ammar Awad - RC15A3F7D480

IDF races to contain Ramallah violence

Israeli security agencies have been warning about Hamas increasing its West Bank activities, but Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has refused to change his policies.

Hamas' fingerprints all over wave of terror in West Bank

On the backdrop of the understanding with Israel over Gaza, Hamas is seeking other ways to bolster its image of resistance such as increasing attacks in the West Bank.