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

Israel cover image

Israel

September 3, 2026

Tel Aviv 10:52 am

30°C

missile

Analysis

Israel favors status quo as tensions in Iran's leadership fuel escalation risk

Israel would prefer to preserve the current balance of pressure — with US naval blockades and economic measures continuing without a return to active fighting — per a senior Israeli security source.

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

Mecca Alliance

Israel, Greece sign $3.5 billion air-defense deal: What to know

Against the backdrop of growing tensions with Turkey, Israel signed one of its largest-ever defense industry deals to supply Greece with advanced air defense systems.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (R) and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa arrive for a joint press conference following their meeting at the Presidential Palace in Ankara, Feb. 4, 2025.

Analysis

Why Turkey welcomes Israel-Syria talks despite mounting red lines

Turkey supports US-backed Israel-Syria talks but sees little prospect of a lasting accommodation until the Israeli elections.

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

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

Latest News

Israel, Hamas bide their time as Gaza peace plan stalls

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

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

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

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

Qatari grant provides temporary relief for some in Gaza

A $150 million Qatari grant shows signs of providing some respite to long-suffering Palestinians in Gaza and producing a slight boost to Gaza’s economy, but is not a solution to the humanitarian crisis plaguing the enclave.

Israeli Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked delivers a statement to members of the media, at the Knesset, Israel's parliament, in Jerusalem November 19, 2018. REUTERS/Amir Cohen - RC111FFCA050

Gender discrimination back in vogue under Israel's conservative judges

Israeli democracy suffered a heavy blow this week when conservative justices appointed by Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked denied a woman who cheated on her husband her half of their apartment.

When Yara met Fadi: Gazans help couple pick up pieces after Israeli strike

"I will wait for you even if it takes 60 years," a young man from Gaza promised his Syrian fiancee before an Israeli airstrike delayed their long-awaited marriage.

Gaza security tracking down suspects in recent Israeli raid

Security services in the Gaza Strip have arrested Palestinians accused of collaborating with Israeli forces in a foiled mission in Khan Yunis.

Will Airbnb settlement ban lead other online giants to follow suit?

Palestinians are hoping other online giant companies will also boycott Israel and its settlement activities after Airbnb decided to remove its listings from Israeli settlements in the West Bank.

Palestinians inspect the site of an Israeli air strike on a building, in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip November 12, 2018. REUTERS/Suhaib Salem - RC1EBB13A230

Hamas, Israel in intelligence duel

The botched Israeli undercover operation in the Gaza Strip could be disastrous for Israel’s methods of operation behind enemy lines.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (L), Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon (R) and Chief of Staff General Benny Gantz (C) give a joint press conference at the prime minister's office in Jerusalem, on August 27, 2014. Netanyahu said that Islamist foe Hamas had achieved none of its demands in a truce ending 50 days of deadly conflict in Gaza. Hamas was hit hard and got none of its demands," Netanyahu said at a news conference in Jerusalem, his first comments since the ceasefire went into effect on A

Former IDF head spooks Israel's entire political spectrum

Culture Minister Miri Regev's attacks on former IDF chief of staff reflect wide and growing concerns that the popular Benny Gantz will shake up the political system.

How Netanyahu outdid his rivals, again

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is the expert in exploiting security threats for political means, which is what he did in his speech after the resignation of Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman.

Airbnb battle threatens Israeli tourism industry

Tourism Minister Yariv Levin is willing to sacrifice Israel's tourism industry for the sake of his pro-settlement ideology and the fight against the boycott movement.

Netanyahu’s political victory is only temporary

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu won a political battle, but he remains with a narrow coalition and an eroded public image.

Israeli right storms Jerusalem mayoral race

Jerusalem's new mayor ran a radical and deceptive campaign that bodes ill for the upcoming general elections.

Iran turns to pragmatism as Israel woos Oman

While Iran is unlikely to have been happy about Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to Oman, it has tried to remain pragmatic in order to prevent tensions with a longstanding Arab friend.