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Israel

May 19, 2026

Tel Aviv 5:05 am

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Men gather around the husk of a destroyed pickup truck that was driven by a local shepherd who was reportedly struck by Israeli forces and buried by locals at a grave nearby, in the Najaf desert in southwestern Iraq, on May 12, 2026.

What we know about secret Israeli bases in Iraq

Iraqi authorities have said there are no longer any hostile forces operating in its territory.

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

Latest News

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

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

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

Qatari grant provides temporary relief for some in Gaza

A $150 million Qatari grant shows signs of providing some respite to long-suffering Palestinians in Gaza and producing a slight boost to Gaza’s economy, but is not a solution to the humanitarian crisis plaguing the enclave.

Israeli Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked delivers a statement to members of the media, at the Knesset, Israel's parliament, in Jerusalem November 19, 2018. REUTERS/Amir Cohen - RC111FFCA050

Gender discrimination back in vogue under Israel's conservative judges

Israeli democracy suffered a heavy blow this week when conservative justices appointed by Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked denied a woman who cheated on her husband her half of their apartment.

When Yara met Fadi: Gazans help couple pick up pieces after Israeli strike

"I will wait for you even if it takes 60 years," a young man from Gaza promised his Syrian fiancee before an Israeli airstrike delayed their long-awaited marriage.

Gaza security tracking down suspects in recent Israeli raid

Security services in the Gaza Strip have arrested Palestinians accused of collaborating with Israeli forces in a foiled mission in Khan Yunis.

Will Airbnb settlement ban lead other online giants to follow suit?

Palestinians are hoping other online giant companies will also boycott Israel and its settlement activities after Airbnb decided to remove its listings from Israeli settlements in the West Bank.

Palestinians inspect the site of an Israeli air strike on a building, in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip November 12, 2018. REUTERS/Suhaib Salem - RC1EBB13A230

Hamas, Israel in intelligence duel

The botched Israeli undercover operation in the Gaza Strip could be disastrous for Israel’s methods of operation behind enemy lines.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (L), Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon (R) and Chief of Staff General Benny Gantz (C) give a joint press conference at the prime minister's office in Jerusalem, on August 27, 2014. Netanyahu said that Islamist foe Hamas had achieved none of its demands in a truce ending 50 days of deadly conflict in Gaza. Hamas was hit hard and got none of its demands," Netanyahu said at a news conference in Jerusalem, his first comments since the ceasefire went into effect on A

Former IDF head spooks Israel's entire political spectrum

Culture Minister Miri Regev's attacks on former IDF chief of staff reflect wide and growing concerns that the popular Benny Gantz will shake up the political system.

How Netanyahu outdid his rivals, again

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is the expert in exploiting security threats for political means, which is what he did in his speech after the resignation of Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman.

Airbnb battle threatens Israeli tourism industry

Tourism Minister Yariv Levin is willing to sacrifice Israel's tourism industry for the sake of his pro-settlement ideology and the fight against the boycott movement.

Netanyahu’s political victory is only temporary

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu won a political battle, but he remains with a narrow coalition and an eroded public image.

Israeli right storms Jerusalem mayoral race

Jerusalem's new mayor ran a radical and deceptive campaign that bodes ill for the upcoming general elections.

Iran turns to pragmatism as Israel woos Oman

While Iran is unlikely to have been happy about Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to Oman, it has tried to remain pragmatic in order to prevent tensions with a longstanding Arab friend.