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Israel

May 20, 2026

Tel Aviv 3:32 am

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NICOSIA, CYPRUS - APRIL 24: Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa arrives for an informal meeting of European Union leaders on April 24, 2026 in Nicosia, Cyprus. The EU heads of state and government are meeting over two days to discuss the conflict in Iran and the Middle East, including freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, the effects of high fuel prices, and how Europe may contribute to de-escalation and a peace agreement. (Photo by Byron Smith/Getty Images)

Syria's Sharaa renews ban on Israeli imports in customs law: What to know

The renewal comes even as Damascus pursues US-backed security talks with Israel aimed at reducing tensions along the border.

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.

Somaliland's first ambassador to Israel announces embassy in Jerusalem: What to know

Israel was the first country to recognize the breakaway region on the Horn of Africa last year.

A bride and group couple rides in a military jeep arriving for a public mass wedding ceremony at Imam Hossein Square in Tehran on May 18, 2026. Iran said on May 18 that it had responded to a new US proposal aimed at ending the war, adding that diplomatic exchanges continue despite Iranian media reports describing Washington's demands as excessive. Washington and Tehran have been swapping proposals in an effort to end the conflict which the US and Israel launched on February 28, but they have held only a sin

Analysis

Israel pushes for full Iran blockade as it awaits Trump's next move

Israel’s preferred strategy, sources told Al-Monitor, calls for a comprehensive naval, economic, land and air blockade of Iran, alongside tighter sanctions and covert activity aimed at destabilizing the regime.

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

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.

Latest News

Lebanon-Israel ceasefire extended 45 days as US opens security talks

talks

Analysis

‘A reckless act’: Netanyahu sparks UAE fury by claiming secret visit

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.

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

Israel's Netanyahu suing New York Times over column on Palestinian rape

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

An Israeli police officer helps a Health Ministry inspector put on protective gear before they go up to the apartment of a person in self quarantine as a precaution against coronavirus spread in Hadera, Israel March 16, 2020 REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun - RC23LF9W400M

Israelis in panic over COVID-19, but not the 'occupation virus'

Despite attempts to spin events otherwise, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has hijacked the coronavirus in an attempt to hold on to power and perpetuate the occupation.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu chairs the weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem, March 8, 2020. Oded Balilty/Pool via Reuters - RC2MFF9A26YO

Israel's embattled Netanyahu calls for unity government amid coronavirus outbreak

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday called for the formation of an emergency unity government as the country works to contain the spread of COVID-19.

Members of the 22nd Knesset, the Israeli parliament, stand during their swearing-in ceremony, in Jerusalem October 3, 2019. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun - RC1172B0B270

Coronavirus fears hover over Israel’s Knesset swearing-in

The Knesset's traditional swearing-in ceremony is being scaled down, as Israel closes schools through the Passover holiday.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu chairs the weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem, March 8, 2020. Oded Balilty/Pool via Reuters - RC2MFF94CHHP

Is Netanyahu really the coronavirus savior?

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is staging himself in the role of savior rescuing the people of Israel from the coronavirus, but how much of all this is true?

A labourer hangs a banner depicting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Benny Gantz, leader of Blue and White party, as part of the party's campaign ahead of the upcoming election, in Tel Aviv, Israel February 17, 2020. REUTERS/Ammar Awad - RC292F9SWH47

Netanyahu sets Benny Gantz COVID-19 trap

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is determined to exploit the coronavirus crisis as a means to establish an emergency unity government.

A picture taken on February 21, 2020, shows a portrait of PM Netanyahu (Left) and portrait of Arab Israeli member of the Joint List Ahmad Tibi (R) on a campaign poster, with Arabic writing reading "staying here" as a response to Netanyahu's Likud party campaign pledging for a government "without Ahmad Tibi", in the northern Israeli City of Tayyiba. (Photo by AHMAD GHARABLI / AFP) (Photo by AHMAD GHARABLI/AFP via Getty Images)

Israel’s Arab party’s new target: 20 Knesset seats

Members of the Arab Joint List say that if another round of election is held, their party will only grow stronger.

Ayman Odeh (3rd-L), leader of the Hadash party that is part of the Joint List alliance, gives an address with other alliance leaders at their electoral headquarters in Israel's northern city of Shefa-Amr on March 2, 2020, after polls officially closed. - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appeared to lead his main challenger following elections with multiple exit polls putting his right-wing Likud several seats ahead of the centrist Blue and White party. Exit polls by three Israeli television network

Arab voters in Israel turn out in force, win new Knesset seats

A united effort helped Arabs in Israel claim two more parliament seats that they hope will translate to a better quality of life.

Netanyahu, Gantz must return to Cairo 2016

Blue and White leader Benny Gantz should agree to a unity government with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, not just to fight the coronavirus, but to resume the Cairo talks with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

Israel dreads coronavirus outbreak in Gaza

So far, the closure has protected the Gaza Strip from the coronavirus, but Israeli specialists estimate that a COVID-19 outbreak there is just a matter of time.

Palestinians' electoral success in Israel can't be denied

Palestinian citizens of Israel made a huge accomplishment in the latest Israel elections by winning an unprecedented 15 seats.

Benny Gantz, head of Blue and White party, gives a statement to the media in Ramat Gan, Israel March 1, 2020. REUTERS/Nir Elias - RC20BF95LO81

Israel’s Gantz ready to do whatever it takes to topple Netanyahu

Blue and White leader Benny Gantz is now ready to do whatever it takes to topple Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, including going back on his promise not to establish a government backed by the Arab Joint List.

Israeli judge orders Netanyahu to appear in court

The Israeli prime minister's request for postponement has been rejected and his corruption trial is set to begin next week.