Israel's cabinet convenes to ratify Trump Gaza deal, military readies for retreat Israeli officials are preparing for the release of 20 living hostages held in Gaza either on Saturday or Sunday and for a possible visit by the US president on Sunday. Israel
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Israel, Gaza celebrate deal Iran, Russia, Central Asia states ink Caspian Sea pact; Israel says Iran weapons plot foiled in West Bank; and more. By Beatrice Farhat In Beirut, reporting on regional news, culture, conflict
How the Israel-Hamas deal could unfold in the coming days Israel and Hamas are set for a long-awaited hostage-prisoner swap, but significant obstacles remain to a permanent ceasefire. Israel
Trump says Israel, Hamas 'sign off' on phase 1 of Gaza truce deal The announcement comes after key mediators, including from the Trump administration, joined the talks in Egypt. Israel
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Gaza truce talks enter third day By Rosaleen Carroll In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East
US envoy advances Israel-Lebanon cease-fire talks as Hezbollah says decision with Netanyahu Hezbollah Secretary General Naim Qassem said the group agreed to negotiate with the United States and Israel on a cease-fire, but all depends on the Israeli position. Lebanon
Senate Democrats to challenge Biden’s arms sales to Israel The Bernie Sanders-led rebuke comes a week after the Biden administration said it would not curb weapons transfers to Israel over lack of Gaza aid access, as originally threatened. United States
Analysis As Netanyahu warms to Israel-Lebanon deal, US role comes into play Sources are saying that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is willing to reach a deal with Hezbollah, while realizing that the "rise or fall" of any arrangement will hinge on the enforcement mechanism. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Hochstein in Beirut, says 'significant progress' on Lebanon-Israel cease-fire as Hezbollah accepts proposal US envoy Amos Hochstein arrived in Beirut in a bid to secure a cease-fire deal between Israel and Hezbollah, as the Lebanese group reportedly approved a new proposal to halt the hostilities, with some comments. Lebanon
Huckabee, Trump's ambassador pick to Israel, says two-state solution not legitimate Trump tapped Mike Huckabee, an evangelical Christian and fervent Israel supporter, as his soon-to-be nominee for ambassador to the country. Israel
Shin Bet chief discusses Gaza truce in Turkey: What we know The Israeli official's travel to Turkey marks a dramatic development considering that Ankara has not played a part in these negotiations over the past year and Israel-Turkey relations have significantly deteriorated amid the Gaza war. Israel
US unveils new West Bank sanctions amid calls to target Israeli ministers The latest sanctions come after nearly 90 Democratic lawmakers urged the administration to penalize Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. United States
Turkey blocked Israeli President Herzog’s flight to COP29 in Azerbaijan, officials confirm Ankara denied for Herzog’s aircraft to fly over Turkish airspace to reach Baku. Turkey
Analysis With leverage in Syria, can Russia's Putin broker Israel-Lebanon deal? Israel is considering accepting the Russian push for some sort of involvement in the talks or in the implementation of a deal with Hezbollah. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Analysis Israel euphoric over Trump's cabinet: Will he pick annexation or Saudi deal? "Everything is ready," a senior source in Israel's settlement enterprise told Al-Monitor. "We just have to get Trump's approval and carry it out." By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Gaza hostage families look to Trump as hope fades for deal As President Joe Biden's time in office wanes, the families of the American hostages are looking to his replacement to strike a deal. Israel
Three years after fleeing, Afghanistan's last Jew arrives in Israel Having fled Afghanistan after the Taliban takeover in 2021, heading to Istanbul via Pakistan, Afghanistan's last Jew has now arrived in Israel. Israel