Netanyahu says arms smuggling from Egypt's Sinai, not Qatar, fueled Hamas

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Time magazine that his approval of Qatari financial assistance to Hamas over the years was not the reason the group became powerful enough to attack Israel.

Israel

Iran says cease-fire in Gaza 'priority' as US sees deal 'closer than ever'

Iran's statement on a cease-fire comes as Washington intensifies its efforts to reach a deal that could avert Iranian retaliation against Israel and a potential regional war.

Iran

Turkey applies to join ICJ genocide case against Israel with a caveat

Turkey’s submission didn’t include a written commitment to accept the judgment as binding, which experts link to Ankara’s efforts to prevent the recognition of the mass killing and deportation of Armenians by the Ottoman Empire in 1915 as genocide.

Turkey

US says cease-fire talks in 'final stage' as Hamas taps Sinwar to be new leader

The nomination of Gaza Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar as head of the organization's political bureau does not mean that the door of cease-fire and hostage release negotiations is closed.

Israel

Travelers scramble as airlines cut flights amid fear of Iran-Israel war

Germany's Lufthansa extended a suspension of services to Tel Aviv, Tehran, Beirut, Amman and Erbil to Aug. 13.

Lebanon

Analysis

France struggles to find its footing, play role in Lebanon-Israel crisis

French President Emmanuel Macron has multiplied his contact with Middle Eastern leaders, trying to prevent escalation in the region, but so far, has not sent his foreign minister to Beirut.

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Hezbollah chief vows to respond to Israeli attacks ‘whatever the consequences’

The region has been on edge for the past week after Israeli strikes killed a senior Hezbollah commander and Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated in a suspected Israeli strike.

Lebanon

Israeli soldier stabbed with screwdriver near Jerusalem

A 20-year-old Israeli female soldier was attacked with a screwdriver by a Palestinian assailant near Jerusalem.

Israel

Analysis

As US, Israel coordinate, Biden works to curb Netanyahu's response to Iran

Under pressure from the Biden administration, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is reportedly not currently planning a pre-emptive attack against Iran.

By Ben Caspit

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

'Several' US personnel injured in rocket attack on Iraq base

The Biden administration is downplaying the threat of a wider Middle East conflict to allow Western diplomats time to negotiate an off-ramp to expected Iranian retaliation against Israel for the assassination of Hamas' top political leader in Tehran last week.

Israel

Global stocks tank over fears of Middle East war, US recession

On Wall Street, the S&P 500 lost 3.1% while the tech-focused Nasdaq Composite Index lost 3.7% of its value after markets opened in New York Monday morning.

Israel

Frantic diplomacy, flight disruptions as Middle East braces for Iran attack on Israel

US President Joe Biden is meeting with his national security team in the White House on Monday as concerns of an attack by Iran and its regional proxies against Israel grow.

Lebanon