Gaza

An elections employee tapes a poster with instructions to voters ahead of the upcoming municipal elections in Deir al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip on April 21, 2026.

Feature

Gazans show cautious hope ahead of first local elections in 20 years

The city of Deir al-Balah in central Gaza is set to hold municipal elections for the first time in nearly two decades.

Rasha Abou Jalal

By Rasha Abou Jalal

In Gaza City, reporting on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict

Women read instructions to voters ahead of the upcoming municipal elections in Deir el-Balah in the central Gaza Strip on April 21, 2026.

Analysis

On eve of Palestinian local elections, competition in short supply

With many races unopposed and rivals excluded, the vote underscores a calibrated effort to contain dissent and prioritize stability.

Daoud Kuttab

By Daoud Kuttab

In Amman, reporting on Palestinian politics

Olmert

Interview

Olmert: Only Israel-Lebanon deal can curb Hezbollah, occupation 'unviable'

Former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert told Al-Monitor that Israel will only be able to defang Hezbollah if it reaches an agreement with the Lebanese government.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a joint press conference with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi in Jerusalem on February 26, 2026. (Photo by GIL COHEN-MAGEN / POOL / AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Why Netanyahu caved to Trump on Lebanon and what it means for Israel

Israelis express anger that the prime minister's maneuvering to stay out of jail has allowed the US to once again "hijack" foreign policy and national security decision-making.

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

Latest News

With Orban’s defeat in Hungary, Israel loses European shield

Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban (L) and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu review a military honor guard on April 3, 2025 in Budapest, Hungary. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived in Hungary in defiance of the International Criminal Court (ICC)'s arrest warrant against him over alleged war crimes in Gaza. Hungary has long-standing ties with Israel, and they been further bolstered up since the start of the war in Gaza, sparked by the Palestinian militant group Hamas's attack on Oct

Iran war deepens Gaza crisis as prices soar, aid falters

Children and families gather to receive free meals shortly before Iftar during the holy month of Ramadan at a displacement camp in central Gaza City, on Feb. 27, 2026.

Daoud Kuttab

By Daoud Kuttab

In Amman, reporting on Palestinian politics

Analysis

Hamas sits out Iran war as Gaza, Gulf interests take priority

Displaced Palestinians gather for a fast-breaking Iftar meal amid the rubble of destroyed buildings at the Jabalia refugee camp, in the northern Gaza Strip, during the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan, Feb. 23, 2026.

Abeer Ayyoub

By Abeer Ayyoub

In Istanbul, reporting on Palestine

Spain recalls Israel ambassador, calls Iran war 'flagrant illegality': What to know

Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez speaks during a United Nations Summit on Palestinians at UN headquarters during the United Nations General Assembly, New York, Sept. 22, 2025.

Members of the Palestinian Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades take part in a demonstration by supporters of the Hamas movement.

Hamas says it is not behind rocket attacks from Gaza

Hamas says it is committed to the truce with Israel.

Palestinian journalists protest in Gaza City against attacks on journalists in the Palestinian territories, Aug. 28, 2007.

Hamas cracks down on journalists, activists in Gaza

Hamas police forces continue to raid the homes of activists in the Gaza Strip who expose the corruption of Hamas figures and members.

Palestinian women watch from a building as demonstrators rally at Falluja cemetery in Jabalia, where five youths were killed during the latest round of conflict between Israel and Palestinian militants before a cease-fire, Gaza Strip, Aug. 16, 2022.

Culture

Rights groups under attack for defending women in Gaza

Women’s rights organizations in Gaza supported two young women who escaped their father’s violence, prompting an incitement campaign against these organizations due to the conservative nature of Gazan society.

Palestinian men gather to apply for work permits in Israel.

Gazan workers fall prey to brokers claiming to offer work permits

Amid the poor economic conditions and as thousands of Gazans seek to obtain work permits inside Israel, fraudulent brokers have spread in the besieged enclave claiming to be able to secure permits.

Israeli border guards are pictured during clashes with Palestinian demonstrators in the area of Bab al-Zawiya in the center of the city of Hebron, West Bank, Sept. 29, 2022.

Israeli army could use armed drones for targeted killings in West Bank

If the IDF does not manage soon to thwart the current wave of violence in the West Bank, it could opt for targeted killings of terrorists using armed drones.

Palestinian laborers work at a stone quarry during International Workers Day, Gaza City, Gaza Strip, May 1, 2021.

Palestinian businessman seeks self-funded projects to support Gaza economy

An agreement of $1 million was signed to restore industrial facilities that were destroyed in the May 2021 war on Gaza, which came as a glimmer of hope for the stricken industrial city.

Palestinians participate in a rally at the Gaza City seaport to demand their right to receive gas from maritime fields in the eastern Mediterranean and the lifting of the Israeli blockade, Gaza Strip, Sept. 13, 2022.

Hamas claims Palestinian right to offshore Mediterranean gas

Palestinian factions in the Gaza Strip may be coordinating with Hezbollah, which could complicate Israel-Lebanon gas talks.

MAHMUD HAMS/AFP via Getty Images

Israel sanctions 20 entities in crackdown on Hamas investment

Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz issued orders sanctioning companies in Sudan, Turkey, Algeria, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia for allegedly helping finance Hamas.

Employees present three newborn lion cubs at Nama Zoo in Gaza City, Gaza Strip, Aug. 12, 2022.

Culture

Gaza zoos rally to save newborn cubs

In the past, cubs have been eaten by starving lionesses.

Palestinian ambulance driver Sandra Bali behind the wheel during her shift, Gaza Strip, August 2022.

Culture

Meet Palestine’s first female ambulance driver

Sandra Bali, a Palestinian nurse from the West Bank, got her ambulance driver’s license this year despite the male monopoly in the field.

A Palestinian youth collects plastic and iron from a landfill in Beit Lahia, northern Gaza Strip, Jan. 17, 2022.

Young Gazan produces diesel, gasoline from plastic waste

Amid increasing fuel prices in the Gaza Strip, a citizen and his brothers from the city of Beit Hanoun managed to produce diesel and gasoline from plastic waste.

Women walk past a vegetable stand, as workers clear the rubble of a building destroyed by Israeli bombing in May 2021, Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, Sept. 30, 2021.

Israel considers issuing work permits to Gazan women

Israel announced it was considering issuing work permits for women in the Gaza Strip, a move Palestinian official and popular bodies questioned the objectives behind, while many women consider it a step toward financial independence.