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
Hamas’ two-front strategy Israeli security sources believe Hamas has been working to restore its operational infrastructure in the West Bank in anticipation of the day after its operations are curtailed in Gaza due to a possible arrangement with Israel to prevent the enclave's collapse. Palestine
Hamas quashes armed Shiite movement Sabireen in Gaza Hamas makes the lion's share of civilian and military decisions in the Gaza Strip, while small movements such as Harakat al-Sabireen are forced to bow to Hamas' power, which is also supported by the Sunni community. Palestine
Dahlan bloc upends election at Fatah university in Gaza The political bloc affiliated with the Democratic Reformist Current of dismissed Fatah leader Mohammed Dahlan won the majority of seats in the election of Al-Azhar University’s workers union, a blow to Fatah’s popularity. Palestine
Hamas prefers Netanyahu over other prime minister hopefuls There's no love lost between Hamas and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, but the movement's leaders apparently think he is the best they can hope for in the upcoming elections. Palestine
How this youth band from Gaza helps other musicians Gaza's Sol Band makes its voice heard in concerts and on the internet, but an album just needs to wait. Palestine
Gaza hospitals on brink of collapse Hamas sent another incendiary balloon toward Israel this week, though the Gaza Strip could under no circumstances take another confrontation with the Israel Defense Forces. Palestine
Desperate Gaza parents abandon children at Israel border Palestinian youths are infiltrating Israel, hoping to get caught and sent to prison, while Palestinian parents facing economic crises are abandoning their sick infants at the Erez border crossing, while attempting to search work in Israel. Palestine
Hamas leader presents 3 options for Gaza Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar reportedly proposed three scenarios to change the deteriorating situation in Gaza, including allowing the UN or Egypt to deploy in the besieged enclave. Originals
Hamas, others say Israel's new border wall can't stop attacks Israel is spending 3 billion shekels to build a steel barrier along the Gaza border that Palestinians and even Israelis believe will not be 100% effective against Hamas-built tunnels. Israel
Can Gaza get a handle on its waste problem? With Gaza's waste disposal crisis now affecting Israeli communities across the border, Israel has approved the construction of a UN-funded waste recycling plant in Gaza. Palestine
Children no longer need to leave Gaza for cancer treatment Cancer patients welcome a new cancer ward in Gaza and hope it will ease the travel pains of hundreds of Palestinian child patients and their families. Palestine
Islamic Jihad, the new lord of Gaza? The Islamic Jihad has been making it clear to Hamas, Egypt and Israel that the rules of the game have changed in Gaza over the past few months. Palestine
