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

Israel cover image

Israel

May 9, 2026

Tel Aviv 12:19 am

19°C

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

JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images

Israel-Lebanon gas deal proceeds with TotalEnergies, Eni agreement

The agreement will allow the French and Italian energy companies to move forward with gas exploration off the coast of Lebanon.

Members of the United Nations General Assembly vote on a draft resolution during a special session in the General Assembly Hall, UN headquarters, New York, Nov. 14, 2022.

Israel abstains on UN vote against Russia over Ukraine war

The Kremlin and the White House are both waiting to see if Israeli Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu will shift Israel’s policy on the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

President Isaac Herzog welcomes Benjamin Netanyahu to the presidential residence before assigning the task of forming a government to him, Jerusalem, Nov. 13 2022.

Netanyahu starts coalition talks on forming Israel's next government

Tasked by President Isaac Herzog to cobble together Israel’s next government, Likud leader Benjamin Netanyahu is already deep in negotiations with his future coalition partners.

Afif Abu Much

UAE think tank explores fallout of Israeli elections

In a sign of strengthening relations, a first-of-its-kind symposium this week in Abu Dhabi discussed election results in Israel and the political and security climates there.

Uriel Sinai/Getty Images

Far-right future Israeli lawmakers visit volatile Joseph’s Tomb in West Bank

Fanning the flames of unrest ahead of Israel’s incoming government, far-right and ultra-Orthodox future Knesset members encountered gunfire when they visited the site of Joseph’s Tomb in Nablus this week.

Jordan's Queen Rania opens the Paris Peace Forum

Israel skips Paris Peace Forum

Hosting young entrepreneurs and civil groups from across the globe, the Paris Peace Forum could have been an opportunity for Israelis to meet with counterparts from Algeria, Qatar and other countries that lack diplomatic relations with Jerusalem.

Itamar Ben-Gvir, leader of the Israeli far-right Jewish Power party, speaks during parliamentary consultations with parties elected in the 25th Knesset, at the presidential residence, Jerusalem, Nov. 10, 2022.

US concerned over appointment of Israeli ultranationalist as public security minister

With President Isaac Herzog preparing to task Benjamin Netanyahu with the composition of the next government, the Biden administration is increasingly worried over ultranationalist Itamar Ben-Gvir, ideological successor of Rabbi Meir Kahane, becoming a Cabinet minister.

KARIM JAAFAR/AFP via Getty Images

World Cup to bring thousands of Israeli fans to Qatar under new travel deal

Israel and Qatar have no diplomatic relations, but a special visa deal will allow thousands of Israeli soccer fans attend the world tournament.

Israel technology

Israeli tech in trouble as funding, job openings decline

The nation's growth engine has hit a slowdown marked by layoffs, fewer hiring opportunities, and less investment capital.

Netanyahu

Netanyahu pressed on supplying weapons to Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was one of the first world leaders to congratulate Benjamin Netanyahu for winning the November elections, but this might not be enough to convince him to supply weapons to Kyiv.

Israel's Ministry for Environmental Protection

Israeli environment minister strives for regional cooperation at COP27

Outgoing Minister for Environmental Protection Tamar Zandberg calls on the new Israeli government not to give in to small politics, but continue engagement to battling climate change, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and reducing plastic pollution.

MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP via Getty Images

What Netanyahu’s return means for Israel-Turkey ties

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has sent a congratulatory message to incoming Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, signaling that nascent cooperation between the two countries would profit the region.