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. By Rasha Abou Jalal In Gaza City, reporting on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
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. By Daoud Kuttab In Amman, reporting on Palestinian politics
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.
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. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Iran war deepens Gaza crisis as prices soar, aid falters By Daoud Kuttab In Amman, reporting on Palestinian politics
Analysis Hamas sits out Iran war as Gaza, Gulf interests take priority By Abeer Ayyoub In Istanbul, reporting on Palestine
Fact-checkers face obstacles to bring news to Gazans during wartime During the recent Israeli military attack on Gaza, misleading and fake news quickly spread, leading fact-checking platforms to work on debunking rumors and ensure fair access to information. Palestine
Palestinians trapped in Gaza as Israel suspends postal services Passport paperwork is piling up in post offices, as Israel has prevented mail from entering or leaving the Gaza Strip since May 11, thus preventing many students, patients and those with foreign residencies from traveling. Palestine
Israel again bombs Hamas targets in Gaza as fire balloons continue The flare-up could threaten last month's cease-fire between Israel and Hamas. News Brief
Hamas tests new Israeli government by resuming incendiary balloons The so-called “night confusion units” in Gaza continue to fire incendiary balloons toward Israel. Palestine
Turkey seeks cooperation with Egypt in Gaza Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu suggested cooperation between Ankara and Cairo on the Palestinian issue, a move seen unlikely as Cairo looks with suspicion at the Turkish role in the Palestinian territories, particularly the Gaza Strip. Egypt
For Israel’s new government, Egypt key to calm on border with Gaza An Israeli delegation is expected to arrive in Cairo in the very near future, to continue discussing with the Egyptians a framework for an arrangement with Hamas. Israel
Egypt struggles to reconcile Hamas, Palestinian Authority Egypt postponed a highly anticipated meeting between Palestinian factions to avoid failure, as Cairo recently came out as a major regional player after brokering the cease-fire between Israel and Hamas. Palestine
Israeli bombs ignite pesticide stores, spew dangerous chemicals in Gaza Israeli warplanes bombed the largest warehouse of agricultural material in the Gaza Strip, burning tons of dangerous pesticides and setting off an unfolding environmental disaster. Palestine
Did Gaza war end or rejuvenate Abbas’ presidency? With the United States and other states unwilling to work with Hamas, aid money is flowing into the Palestinian government coffers. Palestine
The Takeaway: US looks to Gulf to help break deadlock in Nile Dam dispute Egypt, Ethiopia reshape security alignments in Horn of Africa; Erdogan readies for make-or-break summit with Biden; Lapid emerges as arbiter of Israeli politics; Israeli Arab community split on coalition government; update on Gaza. Egypt
Hamas releases audio of alleged Israeli soldier The militant group also released old footage of former Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit. Israel
Hamas, PA compete for Gaza reconstruction Palestinian division is deepening further, with disputes emerging between the PA and Hamas over which party will be responsible for handling the Gaza reconstruction process. Palestine
