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Israel

May 19, 2026

Tel Aviv 2:46 pm

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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

Four insights on municipal elections in Israel

Municipal elections in Israel reflect more and more the public’s mood and political inclinations ahead of the general elections.

Jerusalem artist offers amulets for modern evils

Eitam Tubul’s light-hearted art project proposes amulets for modern misfortunes such as hangovers, awkward silences or email hacking.

U.S. President Donald Trump talks with Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Ron Dermer and Tree of Life Synagogue Rabbi Jeffrey Myers as he arrives with (L-R) his daughter Ivanka Trump, son-in-law Jared Kushner and first lady Melania Trump outside the synagogue where a gunman killed eleven people and wounded six during a mass shooting Saturday in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S., October 30, 2018. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque - RC1951277440

Trump, Netanyahu use synagogue shooting to cement alliance

President Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu’s government are using this week’s massacre at the Tree of Life synagogue to cement support for each other.

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends the weekly cabinet meeting at his office in Jerusalem October 28, 2018. Oded Balilty/Pool via REUTERS - RC18EB7B0910

Netanyahu needs Hamas to rule Gaza, not Abbas

In order to preserve himself politically, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu needs an arrangement with Hamas.

Municipality employees work next to a house that the Israeli military said was hit by a rocket fired from the Gaza Strip, in Beersheba, southern Israel October 17, 2018. REUTERS/Amir Cohen TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RC1F454D7B10

Israeli residents near Gaza abandoned by the government

Israeli residents near Gaza are paying the price for the government’s lack of an effective policy on rocket fire from the Strip.

NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 26: Progressive challenger Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez celebrartes with supporters at a victory party in the Bronx after upsetting incumbent Democratic Representative Joseph Crowly on June 26, 2018 in New York City. Ocasio-Cortez upset Rep. Joseph Crowley in New York’s 14th Congressional District, which includes parts of the Bronx and Queens. (Photo by Scott Heins/Getty Images)

Democratic newcomers challenge pro-Israel status quo

Three Democratic candidates willing to challenge the bipartisan orthodoxy on Israel are likely to win seats in Congress next year.

Hamas Chief Ismail Haniyeh shakes hands with Egyptian senior security official Ayman Badie during their meeting in Gaza City October 18, 2018. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem - RC1129B69360

Hamas political, military leaderships disagree on Israel arrangement

Hamas political and military branches disagree on whether the group should pursue an Egypt-mediated arrangement with Israel, or keep up the violent demonstrations near the border fence.

Palestinian employees queue outside a cash machine outside the Bank of Palestine as they wait to withdraw their salaries, in Gaza City on April 9, 2018. (Photo by MAHMUD HAMS / AFP) (Photo credit should read MAHMUD HAMS/AFP/Getty Images)

Israel to improve bank transactions for its Palestinian workers

The governor of the Palestinian Monetary Authority, Azzam al-Shawa, announced an agreement with the Bank of Israel on a new mechanism creating an Israeli government body to handle Palestinian bank transactions.

Israeli artists campaign against 'Loyalty in Culture' law

Stars of the Israeli entertainment industry prefer not to confront powerful Culture Minister Miri Regev on the "Loyalty in Culture" law, designed to defund cultural institutions "undermining the state’s values and symbols."

Kurdish film festival screens, then withdraws, Israeli movie

Israeli filmmakers were surprised to learn that their film had been selected to be shown at the Duhok International Film Festival, only to be notified later that it was removed from the competition after being screened.

Israeli minister of Justice Ayelet Shaked (R) arrives ahead of the weekly cabinet meeting at the Prime Minister's office in Jerusalem September 12, 2018. Thomas Coex/Pool via Reuters - RC1589D288D0

Netanyahu protects Supreme Court’s power, for now

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu supports weakening the broad interpretive authority the Supreme Court applies, but he does not seek a full-on clash with the judicial system while he himself is under police investigation.

A campaign poster depicting ultra-Orthodox Jewish candidate in Jerusalem's mayoral election Yossi Daitsh is seen between buildings as an ultra-Orthodox man walks past, in Jerusalem October 18, 2018. REUTERS/Ammar Awad - RC11A312FA80

Israel's ultra-Orthodox parties divided as municipal elections approach

Numerous ultra-Orthodox candidates in the upcoming municipal elections reflect the growing splits within and among Israel's ultra-Orthodox parties, divisions that threaten to siphon the sector's political power.