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Israel

May 19, 2026

Tel Aviv 7:32 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

Russian Defence Minister Sergey Shoigu (R) stands next to his Israeli counterpart Avigdor Lieberman as as they look at pictures of Jews killed in the Holocaust during a visit to the Hall of Names at Yad Vashem's Holocaust History Museum in Jerusalem October 17, 2017. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun - RC1504C794D0

Will Israeli defense minister's exit impact Russia-Israel cooperation on Syria?

The resignation of Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman has triggered discussion in Russian circles about whether the departure of a man deemed a staunch advocate for a "special relationship" with Moscow will affect Benjamin Netanyahu's cooperation with Vladimir Putin on Syria.

Palestinians celebrate the resignation of Israel's Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman as a woman holds a picture of Hamas Chief Ismail Haniyeh, in Gaza City November 14, 2018. REUTERS/Suhaib Salem - RC1BF0D8E8D0

How Hamas will stop future Israeli operations in Gaza

As Palestinians and Israelis try to reveal the objective behind the recent Israeli operation inside the Gaza Strip, Hamas is stepping up its efforts to counter future incidents, even with a cease-fire in place.

Palestinians burn a poster depicting Israel's Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman as they celebrate after Lieberman announced his resignation, in Gaza City November 14, 2018. REUTERS/Suhaib Salem TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RC154FC040F0

Liberman's exit offers Netanyahu chance to build new coalition

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu must seize the opportunity of Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman’s departure to form a new Gaza policy and a peace-seeking coalition.

Residents of southern Israel protest against their government's decision to hold fire in Gaza in response to a similar decision by Palestinian militants, in Sderot, Israel November 13, 2018 REUTERS/ Amir Cohen - RC1E20B3BB30

South Israel rages at Netanyahu as Liberman bows out

Residents of Israel's southern communities are furious with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for failing to respond to Hamas' recent rocket fire with an operation in Gaza, and his defense minister's resignation has left him alone with the blame.

Israel’s defense minister quits amid Gaza escalation

For Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s decision favoring a cease-fire with Hamas was the last straw in a series of policies he could not accept.

Netanyahu, Liberman criticized over Gaza cease-fire

The latest round of Israel-Hamas fighting, the most severe since the war they fought in 2014, has intensified criticism against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman.

Palestine seeks UN support to reclaim its deadly viper from Israel

Palestine, irked by Israel's declaration to adopt the Palestine viper as its national snake, takes the issue to the United Nations, accusing the Jewish state of "seizing symbols of Palestinian biodiversity."

A view shows the remains of Hamas's TV station building that was destroyed by Israeli air strikes, in Gaza City November 13, 2018. REUTERS/Suhaib Salem - RC17CE86FB10

Intel: Why Israel and Hamas aren’t itching for a fight

Russia's President Vladimir Putin leaves after a lunch at the Elysee Palace in Paris as part of the commemoration ceremony for Armistice Day, 100 years after the end of the First World War, France, November 11, 2018. REUTERS/Philippe Wojazer/Pool TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RC1EC88496F0

Putin, Netanyahu struggle to mend ties in Paris

Despite the brief meeting on the margins of the Paris Peace Forum, Vladimir Putin and Benjamin Netanyahu seem to have failed to fully mend bilateral ties damaged over the downed Russian spy plane.

Israeli right fears new Congress

For the next two years, Israeli settlers and their right-wing supporters will no longer enjoy unlimited access to the House of Representatives.

A general view of the Israeli city of Ashkelon, as an Iron Dome anti-missile fires near the Israeli side of the Israel-Gaza border, November 12, 2018. REUTERS/ Amir Cohen - RC1AEE5946D0

No deal with Hamas will pay off for Israel

Israel's military leadership continues to support efforts to reach an arrangement with Hamas despite knowing that any cease-fire will enable the group to increase its military capabilities.

Israel mulls letting in Gazan workers if area stabilizes

Despite very recent hostilities, Palestinians see a glimmer of hope in reports that a truce could allow Gazans to work inside Israel, even as conditions keep deteriorating in the besieged enclave.