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Palestine

August 7, 2025

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Muhammad Ahmad Hussein (L), the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem, walks in front of the Dome of the Rock mosque following Friday prayers in Jerusalem's al-Aqsa mosque complex, on September 10, 2021.

Israel bans Jerusalem grand mufti from Al-Aqsa: What to know

The decision follows a controversial visit to the holy site by far-right Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.

Zamir

Israel's Netanyahu, army chief face off over possible Gaza City offensive

Israeli military chief Eyal Zamir opposes plans to take control of Gaza City, where some 800,000 Palestinians reside.

An Israeli army infantry-fighting vehicle leaves a cloud of dust as it moves at a position along Israel's southern border with the Gaza Strip, Aug. 5, 2025.

Analysis

Collision course: 'Desperate' Netanyahu pushes Gaza takeover plan as military balks

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is poised to escalate the military operation in the Gaza Strip and may even order the Israeli army to seize control of all of Gaza.

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

WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 07: U.S. President Donald Trump looks on as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a dinner in the Blue Room of the White House on July 07, 2025 in Washington, DC. Trump is hosting Netanyahu for a dinner as the two discuss a potential ceasefire agreement to end the fighting in Gaza. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

Over 600 former Israeli security officials call on Trump to end Gaza war

Former Israeli security officials, including former heads of the Mossad, the Shin Bet internal security agency, the Israeli military, Israel police and ambassadors are pleading with Trump to pressure Netanyahu to end the war.

Latest News

Analysis

'Diplomatic tsunami': Israel grapples with isolation from Europe, Palestine's recognition

Meeting of the Association Council between the European Union and Israel in the presence of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Hebrew State Gideon Saar and the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the EU countries at the European Council in Brussels in Belgium, on Feb. 24, 2025.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

'A complete farce': Gaza residents say Israel's aid policy shift has done little as hunger grows

Palestinians shove to receive a hot meal at a charity kitchen in the Mawasi area of Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip on July 22, 2025.

Interview

Palestinian UN envoy: Saudi-France summit was 'historic' milestone, builds on France recognition

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 29: Riyad Mansour, Palestinian Ambassador to the UN, speaks during a United Nations Security Council meeting on the conflict in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question at the United Nations headquarters on April 29, 2025 in New York City. The Security Council held a meeting on the ongoing Israel-Hamas war as the International Court of Justice (ICJ) holds its second day of hearings into Israel’s humanitarian obligations to Palestinians after more than 50 days of Israel’

Riyad Mansour

Riyad Mansour

Palestinian Ambassador to the UN

Analysis

As US envoys head to Gaza, details scant on Trump's 'food centers'

People carrying aid parcels walk along the Salah al-Din road near the Nusseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip, used by food-seeking Palestinians to reach an aid distribution point set up by the privately run Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF, on June 25, 2025.

Elizabeth Hagedorn

By Elizabeth Hagedorn

In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights

Beatrice Farhat

Associate Editor (Lebanon)

In Beirut, reporting on regional news, culture, conflict

Daoud Kuttab

Palestine Columnist

In Amman, reporting on Palestinian politics

Rasha Abou Jalal

In Gaza City, reporting on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict

Abeer Ayyoub

In Istanbul, reporting on Palestine

Naima Morelli

In Rome, reporting on Middle East culture

Fatima AbdulKarim

In Ramallah, reporting on the West Bank

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas holds up a Vision for Peace map while speaking at the United Nations Security Council, New York, Feb. 11, 2020.

Egypt agreed for Abbas to enter Gaza but Israel refused: Report

After rejecting a request from the Palestinian Authority to allow President Mahmoud Abbas to travel to Gaza via the Erez or Kerem Shalom crossings, Israel reportedly declined a request by Egypt to enable Abbas to enter the strip via the Rafah crossing.

An Israeli soldier fires teargas at Palestinians during a protest in the village of Beita against a march by settlers to the nearby Israeli outpost of Eviatar, the occupied West Bank, April 10, 2023.

US-Turkish dual citizen shot dead in Israeli-occupied West Bank

Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, 26, was killed while taking part in a march against the expansion of settlements in the West Bank.

An Israeli check point in the region at the scene as in the presence of armed Israeli forces, settlers attack the industrial area of the town of Beita and set fire to some Palestinian properties in the West Bank on August 2, 2024.

Record-high Israeli settler violence in West Bank with 1,246 attacks since Oct. 7: ICG

A new report by the International Crisis Group says Israeli settler attacks since the Gaza war have resulted in 21 deaths of Palestinians and 643 injuries, with the destruction of nearly 23,000 Palestinian-owned trees.

US President Joe Biden steps off Marine One in Washington, on Sept. 2, 2024.

Biden takes jab at Netanyahu over handling of hostage deal talks

US President Joe Biden believes Netanyahu is not doing enough to secure a hostage deal, amid growing frustration inside Israel following the recovery of six hostages killed inside Gaza.

Jenin

West Bank shooting kills three Israelis as Jenin turns 'catastrophic'

In Jenin, where Israeli troops have imposed a tight siege, the situation has deteriorated according to the local municipality.

Israeli soldiers operate during a raid in the Nur Shams refugee camp, near Tulkarem, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, August 28, 2024.

Analysis

What's driving Israel's largest West Bank operation in decades?

Analysts believe the aim of Israel’s large-scale operation in the West Bank is to ultimately pave the way for the establishment of more settlements.

Ahmad Melhem

By Ahmad Melhem

In Ramallah, reporting on politics

Yahya Sinwar addresses supporters during a rally marking Al-Quds (Jerusalem) Day, a commemoration in support of the Palestinian people celebrated annually on the last Friday of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, in Gaza City, on April 14, 2023.

Netanyahu priority may be Sinwar, not Gaza cease-fire

A recap of Al-Monitor reporting from Israel, Iran, the UAE and Turkey.

Head of the political wing of the Palestinian Hamas movement in the Gaza Strip Yahya Sinwar (2nd-R) is greeted upon his meeting to a gathering in Gaza City on April 30, 2022. (Photo by MAHMUD HAMS / AFP) (Photo by MAHMUD HAMS/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

As he stalls Gaza talks, Israel's Netanyahu prioritizes capturing Sinwar

The recent rescue of a hostage held in Gaza boosts assessments in Israel that Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar is under growing pressure and could be captured soon.

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

Displaced Palestinians carry a box of food rations provided by the World Food Program at a makeshift street market in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on March 14, 2024, amid ongoing battles between Israel and the militant group Hamas.

World Food Program suspends staff movement after vehicle shot at in Gaza

The news comes amid efforts to increase vaccinations against polio in war-torn Gaza.

Members of Israeli security forces guard the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound following clashes that erupted during Islam's holy fasting month of Ramadan in Jerusalem on April 5, 2023.

Analysis

Why Ben-Gvir's Al-Aqsa compound rhetoric is dangerous and disruptive

Israel's far-right minister of national security, Itamar Ben-Gvir, called for the establishment of a synagogue at the sensitive Haram al-Sharif/Temple Mount complex, engendering fierce responses from Palestinian and Israeli leaders alike.

Daoud Kuttab

By Daoud Kuttab

In Amman, reporting on Palestinian politics

JAAFAR ASHTIYEH/AFP via Getty Images

Israel expands West Bank operation, evacuates refugee camp: What we know

The Israeli military has conducted major security raids in the West Bank, prompting the Palestinian president to return early from Saudi Arabia.

Israeli hostage

Bedouin Israeli hostage freed in Gaza in military operation

The Israeli military and the Shin Bet confirmed Tuesday that they rescued Qaid Farhan Alkadi from southern Gaza in a military operation.