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

Israel cover image

Israel

August 29, 2026

Tel Aviv 9:01 pm

29°C

Ammar Ammar / AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

Israel’s Lebanon dilemma: Confront Hezbollah without angering Trump, triggering Iran

Israeli sources point out that the pilot project for Israel's withdrawal and the Lebanese military taking control over the area is not working because of the government's reluctance to search for Hezbollah's weapons in private homes.

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

A boy walks carrying a table on his back past salvage workers scrapping the rubble of a building that was destroyed during Israel's war against Hamas in Gaza City on Aug. 16, 2026. — Photo by Omar Al-Qattaa / AFP via Getty Images

Israel, Hamas bide their time as Gaza peace plan stalls

As the Israel-Hamas ceasefire approaches the one-year mark in October, the Board of Peace is under pressure to deliver results in the Gaza Strip.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu holds a press conference with US President Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago club on Dec. 29, 2025, in Palm Beach, Florida. — Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Netanyahu trails Eisenkot in new poll as Israel's right-wing bloc weakens

Israelis prefer former defense minister over the current prime minister to lead country, while the religious-nationalist People of Israel party is projected to win six Knesset seats.

Latest News

Exclusive

Israel recalibrates Syria policy, explores path to security deal

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani (C) watches as US special envoy for Syria Tom Barrack prepares to sign an agreement in Damascus on September 16, 2025. Shaibani announced on September 16 a plan backed by Jordan and the United States to restore calm to Druze-majority Sweida province, which witnessed deadly violence in July. (Photo by LOUAI BESHARA / AFP) (Photo by LOUAI BESHARA/AFP via Getty Images)

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

Ex-defense minister: Israel in ‘worst possible’ Gaza situation as Hamas gains strength

Palestinian militant group Hamas police officers stand guard as people attend the opening of the Fatah party's eighth general conference at Al-Azhar University in Gaza City on May 14, 2026.

Wreck of ship sunk by Israeli military in Irgun clash found after 78 years

A merchant ship "Jabotinsky" (former "Altalena"), chartered by Jewish military group Irgun Zvaei Leumi to carry weapons for Israeli fighters, burns near Tel Aviv beach, after being shelled by the Haganah, Israel, June 27, 1948.

Samuel Wendel

Senior Analyst, Middle East Business & Tech

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

TAIPEI, TAIWAN - OCTOBER 21: Fatou Bensouda (center-right), Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, listens to speeches during the opening ceremony of the congress of the International Federation of Human Rights (FIDH) at the Gran Hotel on October 21, 2019 in Taipei, Taiwan. The International Federation for Human Rights, (FIDH) organizes its 40th Congress, bringing together over 400 human rights defenders from around the world, with a focus on reclaiming the universality of human rights. Every

Instead of slandering it, Israel should join ICC

Israel has a fairly easy option for dealing with the decision by the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court to probe suspicions of alleged Israeli war crimes: ratifying the court’s founding treaty and joining it as full-pledged member.

Netanyahu's strategy strengthens Hamas

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is following a dangerous strategy of advancing an arrangement with Hamas while weakening the Palestinian Authority.

Leader of the far right 'Otzma Yehudit' (Jewish power) party Itamar Ben-Gvir waves as he marches with supporters at the Mahane Yehuda Market in Jerusalem on September 13, 2019. (Photo by MENAHEM KAHANA / AFP) (Photo credit should read MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP via Getty Images)

Strategy of the radical right to pass Knesset-entry threshold

The reunion of the radical right Otzma Yehudit party with HaBayit HaYehudi could open Knesset doors to nationalist Itamar Ben-Gvir.

Senior Hamas leader Fathi Hammad speaks during a rally marking the 32nd anniversary of Hamas founding, in the northern Gaza Strip December 13, 2019. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem - RC2CUD9KU5TZ

Long road still before Israel-Hamas arrangement

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu needs quiet on the Gaza Strip, but fears saying publicly that he’s in favor of an arrangement with Hamas.

The Palestinian neighborhood of Silwan is seen in the background as people walk on a promenade on the surrounding walls of Jerusalem's Old City November 7, 2019. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun - RC2F6D9MOPO2

Stateless Jerusalemites call on Jordan to restore their citizenship

Palestinians living in Jerusalem are concerned about their future and ways to protect themselves and their properties amid calls to have their Jordanian citizenship restored.

Israel mum on permission for Palestinian vote, Hamas edgy

As the Palestinian Authority awaits Israel's decision on holding elections in Jerusalem, Hamas is demanding action with or without Israel's permission.

Israeli extreme right-wing activist Dr. Micael Ben-Ari, leader of Otzma Yehudit party speaks at the party's election campaign event in Bat Yam on April 06, 2019. (Photo by Gili Yaari/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Israel’s national-religious party allies with racist right

By entering the next election in a joint list with the students of Rabbi Meir Kahane, chairman of HaBayit HaYehudi Rabbi Rafi Peretz has betrayed the Jewish people and turning his party into a home of racism.

JERUSALEM, ISRAEL - OCTOBER 18: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu looks over his glasses as he and Education Minister Gidon Sa'ar chat at the start of the weekly cabinet meeting October 18, 2009 in Jerusalem. The cabinet have rejected a UN Human Rights Council endorsement of the Goldstone report on the Israeli campaign in Gaza as unacceptable. (Photo by David Silverman/Getty Images)

Netanyahu still king of Likud

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s victory in the Likud primaries shows that Likud seniors will not abandon the ship captained by their indicted leader.

Netanyahu’s election strategy: Play the victim, or hero?

Associates of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu believe that his campaign of being a victim of police and media persecution has run its course and that he should focus on presenting his achievements as an international leader.

For many Gazans, it's another Christmas barred from Bethlehem

While most of Gaza's Christians submitted requests to celebrate Christmas in Bethlehem, only a small number were granted access by Israel.

Palestinians shout during clashes with Israeli troops, during a tent city protest along the Israel border with Gaza, demanding the right to return to their homeland, the southern Gaza Strip March 30, 2018. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa - RC1AF1973D70

Gazans lay out new strategy for return marches

Palestinians resumed the marches of return on the Israel-Gaza border after they were halted for weeks.

Novy God holiday enchants Israelis with Soviet new year festivities

After years of misunderstanding and rejection of the Soviet holiday, Novy God has become as Israeli as any other of the beloved traditions brought to the country by waves immigrants.