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Israel

May 8, 2026

Tel Aviv 7:28 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

European Union commissioners meet for the weekly College meeting at the European Commission headquarters, Brussels, Belgium, Nov. 9, 2022.

EU halts talks with Israel on police intelligence-sharing agreement

After signing a draft of a cooperation agreement between Europol and Israeli Police, the political leadership of the European Union is now backing away from the agreement.

basketball

More basketball teams from West Bank settlements enter Israel’s national league

The Israeli Basketball Association and the International Basketball Federation would rather avoid the delicate issue of settlement teams hosting games and playing in the Israel professional national league.

Salah Hamouri in Ramallah in the occupied West Bank on Nov. 8, 2021.

France criticizes Israel for prolonging detention of French-Palestinian detainee

Instead of being expelled to France last Sunday, French-Palestinian Salah Hamouri is being kept in prison pending a Jan. 1 court hearing of his case.

Israel's President Isaac Herzog (R) and Chairman Benjamin Netanyahu shake hands after the former tasked the latter with forming a new government, in Jerusalem, on Nov. 13, 2022.

President Herzog presents Israel’s liberal face

President Isaac Herzog, and his brother, Israel’s envoy to the US Michael Herzog, could help Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu reassure the concerned Biden administration.

AHMAD GHARABLI/AFP via Getty Images

Israel pursues climate cooperation with Morocco, Jordan

Israeli tech is sure to set the pace of climate cooperation in the region.

Amir Levy/Getty Images

Liberal Israelis say Netanyahu's coalition deals break democratic norms

Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu has a solid majority in the Knesset, but his opponents feel his policies will violate democratic norms.

Israeli settlers walk with batons and axes.

Israeli security agencies concerned over rise in settler violence in West Bank

The number of Israeli settlers attacking Palestinians is on the rise, and the severity of the attacks is also increasing.

Herzog

Israel’s president in UAE after historic visit to Bahrain

Israel's President Isaac Herzog is in Bahrain, the next stop on his historic tour.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Foreign Affairs Minister of the United Arab Emirates Abdullah bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and Foreign Affairs Minister of Bahrain Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani participate in the signing ceremony of the Abraham Accords on the South Lawn of the White House, Washington, Sept. 15, 2020.

Netanyahu to visit UAE

Already before assembling his government, Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu prepares his first visit abroad — to Abu Dhabi.

Israelis outraged over Netflix film showing IDF murdering Palestinians

Israeli actress Nataly Dadon canceled her Netflix subscription, protesting against the streaming giant adding the anti-Israeli/anti-IDF film "Farha" to the platform.

Maoz

Israeli mayors stand against anti-gay legislator on education

Mayors of liberal cities in Israel have joied the protest of outgoing Prime Minister Yair Lapid against anti-LGBTQ Knesset member Avi Maoz controlling the unit that decides on external education programs.

Netanyahu

The Israel Briefing: US concerned over Netanyahu de facto annexing West Bank

In this weekly newsletter, Ben Caspit and Rina Bassist round up the biggest stories from Israel.