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

Israel cover image

Israel

May 28, 2026

Tel Aviv 8:05 pm

23°C

Ibrahim AMRO / AFP via Getty Images

Israel strikes Lebanon's capital Beirut for first time in 3 weeks: What to know

According to Israeli media, Ali al-Husseini, the commander of the missile unit in the Imam Hussein Division, a brigade affiliated with Iran’s Quds Force that operates alongside Hezbollah, was the target of the attack.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, (R) shakes hands with Viktor Orban, Hungary's prime minister, during a news conference on April 3, 2025 in Budapest, Hungary.

With Hungary’s ICC U-turn, Israel loses a key European ally

Hungary’s parliament voted to remain in the International Criminal Court, reversing a planned withdrawal and marking a shift in Budapest’s approach to Israel and the EU.

Omar AL-QATTAA / AFP via Getty Images

Who was Mohammed Odeh, Hamas military commander killed by Israel in Gaza?

Odeh was killed in a Tuesday strike in the Palestinian enclave just days after he assumed his leadership position.

Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Analysis

'Very bad news’: Israel alarmed as Trump pushes ahead toward Iran deal

Israel fears that Iran could emerge from the war strengthened by access to its frozen financial assets and regional acceptance of its dominance over the Strait of Hormuz and potentially resume its nuclear program.

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

Latest News

Israel strikes near Lebanon’s Qaraoun dam as war intensifies: What to know

A partial view shows a drainage vacuum hole on the lake of Qaraoun in Lebanon's southern Beqaa Valley on April 5, 2019.

US gave Israel 'tacit agreement' to target senior Hezbollah figures

A view shows a Lebanese flag positioned among shattered concrete and twisted rebar, remnants of a destroyed building, in Sidon, Lebanon, on May 3, 2026.

Israel’s Shin Bet chief meets Mohammed Dahlan in UAE: What to know

JOSEPH EID/AFP via Getty Images

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

A general view shows the Israeli Arab city of Umm al-Fahm August 16, 2016. Picture taken August 16, 2016. REUTERS/Ammar Awad - S1BETXLWGTAB

Umm al-Fahm: Where the streets have no name

Israeli authorities are refusing to approve street names selected by the city of Umm al-Fahm to acknowledge and honor Palestinian figures and history.

Israel almost ready for another Golda Meir

Almost 50 years after her era, Golda Meir remains the only woman to have served as prime minister of Israel, but the clock is ticking.

Israel plagued with political corruption

Unless Israeli society acts severely and decisively against political corruption, this corruption monster will take over every aspect of life.

'The World According to Netanyahu'

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's character will not allow him to surrender until he knows he no longer has a chance of prevailing in the face of police allegations of involvement in criminal activity.

Palestinian press applauds coverage of Netanyahu investigations

While Palestinian journalists have appreciated the Israeli media's reports on the police investigations into Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the journalists are sharply critical when it comes to Israeli media coverage of the occupation of Palestinian territories.

Knesset advances 'dangerous' Jerusalem residency law

An Israeli Knesset committee recently approved a draft law that would make it easier to revoke the residency status of Palestinians living in East Jerusalem, raising the concerns of human rights organizations.

US hits deadlock in Lebanon-Israel border mediation

Renewed tension over the demarcation of the maritime border between Israel and Lebanon has the United States engaged in shuttle diplomacy between the countries.

A picture taken in the northern Israeli Kibbutz of Harduf on February 10, 2018, shows the remains of an Israel F-16 that crashed after coming under fire by Syrian air defences during attacks against "Iranian targets" in the war-torn country. / AFP PHOTO / Jack GUEZ (Photo credit should read JACK GUEZ/AFP/Getty Images)

Why Iran doesn’t want escalation in Syria

Contrary to the narrative that Iran wants to drag Israel into the Syrian war, Tehran appears to have no incentive to do so.

Has Gaza joined the axis of resistance?

Palestinian factions, with the exception of Fatah, are threatening to open a Gaza front against Israel if it goes to war in Syria, Lebanon or Iran.

Police closing in on Netanyahu

With the former director general of the Ministry of Communications, Shlomo Filber, as a state witness, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is likely to be indicted and even convicted.

'Bibimania' hits Israel

The police investigations against Netanyahu have contributed to an increasingly divisive and corrosive atmosphere in Israel's public and politics.

Hamas Chief Ismail Haniyeh and Gaza's Hamas Chief Yehya Al-Sinwar gesture to supporters during a rally marking the 30th anniversary of Hamas' founding, in Gaza City December 14, 2017. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem - RC1F66142030

Hamas’ grip on Gaza weakens

With smaller militant groups threatening Hamas' position in the Gaza Strip, the movement might decide to launch a military operation against Israel.