Lebanon and Israel hold military talks at Pentagon despite Israeli offensive: What to know A renewed Israeli offensive in southern Lebanon aims to extract concessions from Beirut in US-brokered diplomatic talks, but Lebanese military officials say there is no path forward until Israel halts its attacks and returns to the April ceasefire. Lebanon
Exclusive Trump 'hit the brakes': Netanyahu's circle faults US president for failed Iran regime change, looming deal With regime in Iran still standing and a possible US-Iran agreement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stands to pay the ultimate political price as elections near in Israel. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
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. Lebanon
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. Israel
Analysis 'Very bad news’: Israel alarmed as Trump pushes ahead toward Iran deal By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Iran’s Bagheri: No deal on Hormuz yet By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
House advances diluted bill cutting Palestinian aid Original supporters of the Taylor Force Act say pushback from Democrats and the Trump administration has watered down their legislation. Palestine
Israel in no hurry to enter Saudi-Lebanese fray Israel is not at all interested in opening a front against Hezbollah just to please Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia
Will Islamic Jihad defy Hamas to attack Israel? Palestinian Islamic Jihad says it is planning to avenge the deaths of members killed in a tunnel destroyed by Israel. Palestine
Palestine to get its own central bank The Palestinian Monetary Authority has announced that it will open the Palestinian Central Bank after fulfilling all necessary requirements, but questions remain about if and when a national currency will be issued. Palestine
Israeli right’s anti-democratic laws penetrate everywhere The accumulation of anti-democratic, anti-coexistence and nationalistic laws threatens the fabric of Israel’s society. Palestine
Israeli parents reject religious indoctrination at schools Some Israeli parents blame Education Minister Naftali Bennett for inserting Jewish ideology into the curriculum of public schools. Israel
Israel police chief falls into Netanyahu’s trap The interview accorded by Israeli police Chief Roni Alsheikh to daily Yedioth Ahronoth plays into the hands of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his accusations of being persecuted. Israel
Trump's Middle East peace initiative still on hold According to diplomatic sources, a US peace initiative will not be launched before March 2018 while the details of the plan remain murky. Palestine
Is US counseling restraint to Saudi crown prince? Saudi Arabia claims two "acts of war" in one week; Israel and Syria both back the Druze. Saudi Arabia
Rabin’s forgotten plan for two-state solution Between 1993 and 1995, Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin had developed a vision for a permanent status agreement that is still espoused by many veterans of the Israeli security establishment. Palestine
Israel to lift tight controls over Gaza reconstruction materials Now that the Palestinian Authority has assumed control of the Gaza Strip crossings, the next step is to make it easier for builders to get reconstruction materials across the border and to suspend the current system, which Gaza contractors say is disastrous. Palestine
Arab Knesset member ready for challenges of defense committee appointment Arab Knesset member Issawi Frej is preparing for his appointment to the Israeli Knesset's prestigious Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, expecting criticism and skepticism from both Jews and Arabs alike. Palestine