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

Israel cover image

Israel

September 12, 2026

Tel Aviv 4:35 pm

31°C

Erik Marmor

Analysis

Once Netanyahu’s top challenger, Bennett loses ground to Eisenkot: What to know

Facing the popular Gadi Eisenkot, the Together party of former premiers Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid is sinking in Israeli opinion polls.

Mazal Mualem

By Mazal Mualem

In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics

A photograph taken from the southern Lebanese area of Nabatieh shows smoke as it rises from the site of Israeli strikes that targeted the hilltops of the mountainous area of the strategic Ali al-Taher Ridge on Aug. 14, 2026.

Israel says it destroyed Hezbollah tunnels in Ali al-Taher ridge: What to know

The ridge has become a flashpoint in the Israel-Hezbollah conflict in Lebanon due to its extensive tunnel network Israel says is utilized by the Iran-backed group.

Chaim Goldberg / AFP via Getty Images

Netanyahu threatens to sue Haaretz for reporting UAE warned Israel of Oct. 7 attack

The Emirati president reportedly warned that a planned attack could cause bloodshed, destabilize the region and threaten the Abraham Accords.

TOPSHOT - Explosions from projectile interceptions by Israel's Iron Dome missile defence system are pictured over Tel Aviv on February 28, 2026. The United States and Israel launched strikes against Iran on February 28, with Israel's public broadcaster reporting that the Iranian supreme leader had been targeted, as the Islamic republic retaliated with barrages of missiles at Gulf states and Israel. (Photo by Jack GUEZ / AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Israel braces for Iran attack as Trump’s economic squeeze on Tehran intensifies

Skeptical about the effectiveness of the American economic blockade on Tehran to weaken the regime, Israel is preparing for the possibility that Iran could decide to strike the Jewish state during the upcoming high holidays.

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

Latest News

12 countries including France, UK, Canada end trade with West Bank settlements

West Bank settlements

Katz warns PA against 'Oct. 7-style' attack as West Bank violence rises

Israeli soldiers take positions during a military operation in the town of Qalqiya, in the occupied West Bank, Dec. 4, 2025.

Lebanon says at least 12 killed in Israeli strikes as tensions rise in south

An excavator digs as rescuers search for survivors amid the rubble following an overnight Israeli airstrike on the village of Kfar Roummane, southern Lebanon, Sept. 7, 2026.

Analysis

LORA missile test reveals limits of Germany’s Gaza criticism of Israel

A woman walks past a model of a Lora missile, Israel's long range artillery missile at the Israel defence stall at the international DefExpo 2008 defence fair, in New Delhi on February 16, 2008. India kicked off South Asia's largest defence fair, with hundreds of global weapons firms offering their latest hardware to the country's technology-hungry military. About 450 weapons companies from 30 countries are present at the four-day "DefExpo" in New Delhi, with several big-ticket announcements expected. AFP P

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

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

(FILE) A picture taken on November 12, 2015 from the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh shows tourists preparing to board a boat in front the Tiran island in the Strait of Tiran between Egypt's Sinai Peninsula and Saudi Arabia.
Saudi King Salman on April 11, 2016 wrapped up a landmark five-day visit to Egypt marked by lavish praise and multi-billion-dollar investment deals, in a clear sign of support for President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi's regime. Egypt also agreed during the visit to demarcate its mar

Red Sea bridge project resurfaces

Backers hope to calm old concerns with new plans for a bridge between Egypt and Saudi Arabia.

An Israeli right-wing activist takes part in a protest calling for the release of suspected Jewish attackers, who were arrested by Israel over a July arson attack on a Palestinian home that killed a toddler and his parents, outside the West Bank village of Duma near Nablus, April 5, 2016. The Hebrew script reads, "Reveal the Truth". REUTERS/Ammar Awad - RTSDPT1

Who is really inciting violence in Israel-Palestine conflict?

Deputy Palestinian Information Minister Mohammed Khalifa tells Al-Monitor that, while Israel blames them for incitement, right-wing Israelis are responsible for the violence.

Why a seaport won't solve Gaza's problems

Israel cannot simply offer some gestures to improve the situation in Gaza without negotiating a comprehensive solution to end the occupation.

attends The Elton John AIDS Foundation and UNAIDS breakfast at the Russell Senate Office Building on July 24, 2012 in Washington, DC.

Congress puts stranglehold on Palestinian aid

Key lawmakers are incensed with terrorism support and statehood bid.

A drill is seen on the Israeli side of the Southern Gaza border where, according to the Israeli army, a tunnel was discovered, Israel, April 18, 2016. REUTERS/Amir Cohen - RTX2AIZN

Underground war between Israel, Hamas heats up

The IDF exposed an attack tunnel dug by Hamas, which reached Israeli territory.

Palestinian Hamas militants take part in a rally marking Palestinian Prisoners' Day, in Gaza City April 17, 2016. REUTERS/Suhaib Salem - RTX2AD8Y

Is Hamas on the offensive or defensive?

Hamas believes that Israel will attack the Gaza Strip again at some point, which is why it keeps arming itself and developing its rocket project.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gestures as he speaks at an event following the swearing-in ceremony of the 20th Knesset, the new Israeli parliament, in Jerusalem March 31, 2015. Netanyahu said on Tuesday the framework Iranian nuclear agreement being sought by international negotiators will leave Iran with the capability to develop a nuclear weapon in under a year. REUTERS/Gali Tibbon/Pool - RTR4VMVY

The bill that might bring an end to Bibi's rule

The Israeli opposition is united behind a Knesset bill that seeks to limit any incumbent prime minister to only two terms.

WU.S. President Barack Obama meets with King Abdullah of Jordan in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington February 24, 2016. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque - RTX28EL3

Why Jordan's king is criticizing his country's closest allies

King Abdullah has made harsh statements against Obama’s war on IS, Saudi Arabia’s foreign policy and Russia’s policy in Syria, yet due to Amman's precarious geostrategic position he doesn't always fully stand by his own comments.

Why Israel wants these bedouins to pay for their village's demolition

After demolishing the unrecognized Bedouin village of al-Araqib in the Negev region for the 96th time since 2010, Israel is now seeking for villagers to pay damages in compensation for the recurrent demolition work in a bid to force them out and implement the Prawer Plan.

Israeli envoy reflects on time at UN

In an interview with Al-Monitor, Israel's envoy to the United Nations, Danny Danon, shares insights into the issue he deals with daily, including cyber warfare, terrorism and raising alarms about Hezbollah.

How Hamas plans to boost its declining popularity

The Hamas movement hopes a new exchange deal with Israel for the release of Palestinian prisoners will reverse its declining popularity among Palestinians.

Will the true culprits surface in Lebanon's infamous Internet racket?

Officials are investigating claims of corruption and espionage in Lebanon's Internet management.