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Israel

May 19, 2026

Tel Aviv 12:21 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

Egypt intervenes as Gaza warns Israel over medical aid

Egyptian intelligence has contacted Hamas and Islamic Jihad in Gaza to prevent a military confrontation with Israel over the growing coronavirus threat.

Leader of Blue and White party, Benny Gantz gestures outside a polling station as Israelis vote in a national election, in Rosh Ha'ayin, Israel March 2, 2020. REUTERS/Nir Elias - RC2JBF927KFH

Gantz, Netanyahu trample Basic Law with mind-boggling hutzpah

In negotiating a unity government, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Blue and White leader Benny Gantz are making a mockery of Israel's parliamentary system and Basic Laws.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at a Likud party rally in Ramat Gan, ahead of the upcoming election.
Israelis head to the polls for the third election in less than a year on March 2nd.
On Saturday, February 29, 2020, in Ramat Gan, Tel Aviv, Israel. (Photo by Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Gantz has played into Netanyahu's hands

Thanks to the coronavirus crisis and high poll numbers, Benjamin Netanyahu is even better off than he'd hoped, but he still needs Blue and White leader Benny Gantz to get him back into the Prime Ministry.

Blue and White party leader Benny Gantz seen during election campaign in Ramat Gan on February 25.
After 99 percent of votes counted, right-wing bloc led by Likud's Benjamin Netanyahu obtained 58 seats but 3 are missing to get a clear majority.
Israeli PM Netanyahu says today that Gantz is 'linking up with terrorists' supporters' alluding at possible union with Arab Alliance Joint List.
On Wednesday, March 4, 2020, in Jerusalem, Israel. (Photo by Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Is Israel's Gantz crafting his political demise or a new beginning?

Even if Blue and White's Benny Gantz fails in his attempt to form the next Israeli government, he could emerge from the effort looking like the adult in the room and the person who put the interest of the state above his own.

KHAN YUNIS, GAZA - MARCH 30: Leader of Hamas in the Gaza Strip Yahya Sinwar greets Palestinians during a protest within the "Great March of Return" and "Palestinian Land Day" demonstrations at Israel-Gaza border in Khan Yunis, Gaza on March 30, 2019. (Photo by Abed Zagout/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)

Israel passes ball of prisoner exchange deal back to Hamas

On the back of the coronavirus crisis, Israel is now examining a three-phased plan proposed indirectly by Hamas for the exchange of prisoners.

Israel’s coronavirus committee slams government over crisis management

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces harsh criticism for both preparation and response to the growing coronavirus pandemic threat.

An ultra-Orthodox Jewish man reacts after police fined him for defying government restrictions set in place to curb the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Mea Shearim neighborhood of Jerusalem April 6, 2020. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun - RC2YYF9YPX0X

Coronavirus tests alliance between Netanyahu and ultra-Orthodox

Ultra-Orthodox politicians feel that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is using them as scapegoats over coronavirus failures.

Israel to require people to wear face masks in public

Israelis prepare to observe Passover under a curfew after the Israeli government issued new restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Israeli soldiers deliver food to residents in Bnei Brak, an ultra-Orthodox Jewish town badly affected by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), and which Israel declared a "restricted zone" due to its high rate of infections, near Tel Aviv, Israel April 5, 2020. REUTERS/Amir Cohen - RC2BYF9AZODO

Ultra-Orthodox welcome soldiers’ help in battle against coronavirus

When the ultra-Orthodox residents of Bnei Brak realized that the army was there to help them against the coronavirus, their negative attitudes changed almost overnight.

A Palestinian man walks in al-Fari'ah refugee camp amid concerns about the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in the Israeli-occupied West Bank March 31, 2020. Picture taken March 31, 2020. REUTERS/Raneen Sawafta - RC29WF9H3Y8K

In Israel, Arabs feel sidelined in struggle against coronavirus

The Arab community has been disappointed with Israeli government communications about the coronavirus.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrives for a speech at his Jerusalem office, regarding the new measures that will be taken to fight the coronavirus, March 14, 2020. Gali Tibbon/Pool via REUTERS - RC2WJF9D9S2R

Netanyahu puts settlers before Israel, again

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu blew up coalition talks following right-wing attacks against him for letting Blue and White control the committee that appoints Supreme Court justices.

Houses in the Israeli settlement of settlement of Kedumim are seen in the foreground as part of the Palestinian city of Nablus is seen in the background (far left) in the Israeli-occupied West Bank February 20, 2020. Picture taken February 20, 2020. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun - RC2R7F9HN66O

Intel: Netanyahu, Gantz strike West Bank annexation deal

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his rival, Blue and White leader Benny Gantz, struck a deal today to annex parts of the West Bank as part of their bid to form a unity government.