Israeli-Palestinian conflict

US sanctions International Criminal Court president, top lawyer

The sanctions come a month after Secretary of State Marco Rubio vowed to dismantle the court "brick by brick."

Ohad Zwigenberg / POOL / AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Netanyahu yields to Trump on Gaza, betting Hamas won’t disarm

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu agreed to advance the US administration's Gaza plan in a meeting with envoy Jared Kushner despite his skepticism about Hamas' commitment.

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

A picture take on Sept. 13, 2017, shows Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor, chairman of the Al Habtoor Group, attending the World Premiere of La Perle in Dubai.

UAE billionaire Habtoor takes aim at Ben Gvir’s Gaza rhetoric

The prominent Dubai businessman condemned the Israeli national security minister's call to kill of dozens Gazans nightly, putting a pointed criticism from an influential Emirati voice on the record.

United Arab Emirates

An Israeli rescue team arrives in Venezuela after the earthquake in June 2026. Israeli Foreign Ministry

Analysis

Why Venezuela is moving closer to Israel but stopping short of full ties

Israel and Venezuela have practical and strategic reasons for advancing their relations after years of hostility, but establishing full ties faces challenges.

Rina Bassist

Adam Lucente

By Rina Bassist , Adam Lucente

Latest News

Analysis

As pro-Palestinian candidates gain ground, will AIPAC's influence wane?

Alex Wong/Getty Images

Adam Lucente

By Adam Lucente

In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change

Gaza family buries 112 recovered from war rubble after Israeli strike

People attend a mass funeral for members of the Abu Sharia and Al-Hasayna families, whose remains were recently recovered from the rubble of their homes after an attack earlier in the war, on Aug. 4, 2026 in the Sabra neighborhood of Gaza City, Gaza.

Analysis

Why Mamdani concluded he can’t arrest Israel’s PM Netanyahu

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani speaks during a primary-night watch party for NYC Congressional candidate Claire Valdez at 99 Scott Studio on June 23, 2026 in the East Williamsburg neighborhood of the Brooklyn borough in New York City.

Adam Lucente

By Adam Lucente

In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change

Culture

How Argentina-Spain World Cup final became debate over Israel, Palestine

Flags of Spain and Argentina

AFP via Getty Images

CIA director, Israel and Hamas leave Egypt talks with no deal reached

After representatives of Hamas and the United States left Cairo, the Israeli delegation also departed on Thursday as sources told Kan news agency that "irreconcilable gaps" had emerged between the parties.

US President Joe Biden speaks to guests during an event at Gateway Technical College’s iMet Center on May 08, 2024, in Sturtevant, Wisconsin.

Biden: US to block bomb, artillery shell shipments if Israel invades Rafah

President Joe Biden said in an interview with CNN Wednesday that his administration would halt the shipment to Israel of offensive weapons including bombs, artillery shells and fighter jets if the Israeli military moves ahead with a full-scale operation in Rafah.

AL-MONITOR Staff

By AL-MONITOR Staff

An Israeli mobile artillery unit fires a shell from a border position in southern Israel toward the Gaza Strip on May 8, 2024, amid the ongoing conflict in the Palestinian territory between Israel and the Hamas movement.

State Dept. to miss report deadline on Israel's use of US weapons

The report to Congress required under NSM-20 is expected in the coming days.

AL-MONITOR Staff

By AL-MONITOR Staff

WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 08: U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin testifies before the Senate Appropriations Committee on Capitol Hill on May 08, 2024 in Washington, DC. The Senate Appropriations Committee Defense Subcommittee held a hearing on "A Review of the President's FY2025 Budget Request for the Department of Defense." (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

Pentagon chief: No decision on unfreezing bombs shipment to Israel

Senior Israeli officials have reportedly expressed "deep frustration" with the Biden administration over the decision, warning that the pause could jeopardize hostage talks underway in Cairo.

Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

CIA chief meets Netanyahu as Israel sees no imminent deal from Cairo talks

Israel kept its negotiating team in Cairo as CIA chief William Burns met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Palestinians crowd a street as smoke billows nearby from Israeli strikes in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on May 7, 2024, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas.

Palestinian Fatah official slams Israel’s Rafah push but hopeful on Gaza deal

Abbas Zaki told Al-Monitor he’s hopeful the strong international response will leave Israel with no choice but to withdraw from the Rafah crossing and potentially accept a deal.

Demonstrators hold a giant Palestinian flag during the 'Justice for Palestine' rally in solidarity with the Palestinian people in Brussels on March 17, 2024. (Photo by HATIM KAGHAT / Belga / AFP) / Belgium OUT (Photo by HATIM KAGHAT/Belga/AFP via Getty Images)

Belgium endorses Palestine's UN bid, Spain and Ireland may follow

The State of Palestine is seeking more diplomatic recognition from Western Europe as it seeks to become a full member of the United Nations.

Egyptian army soldiers man an infantry fighting vehicle deployed near the Egyptian side of the Rafah border crossing

Egypt outraged over Israeli takeover of Rafah crossing but shows restraint

Egypt has condemned the Israeli takeover of the Rafah border crossing and warned that it derails the efforts to reach a comprehensive truce in the Gaza Strip.

Amir Levy/Getty Images

Israeli delegation in Egypt as Netanyahu says Hamas truce offer 'very far' from demands

Israel agreed to send a working-level delegation to Cairo to discuss the Hamas proposal, but it will continue with its limited military operation in eastern Rafah.

ANWAR AMRO/AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

Real or ruse, Hamas' yes to cease-fire proposal catches Netanyahu off guard

Caught by surprise by the Palestinian militant group agreeing to an Egyptian deal, the Israeli prime minister has opted for a limited incursion into eastern Rafah.

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

Israeli army tanks take position in southern Israel near the border with the Gaza Strip as smoke billows over Gaza during Israeli bombardment on May 6, 2024, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Hamas movement. (Photo by Menahem KAHANA / AFP) (Photo by MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP via Getty Images)

Israel takes control of Rafah crossing as Hamas accepts Egypt-Qatar cease-fire proposal

The group issued a statement Monday saying its leader, Ismail Haniyeh, delivered the news in a phone call with Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and Egypt's intelligence chief, Abbas Kamel.

US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden greet Jordan's King Abdullah II.

Biden meets with Jordanian king as Israel begins Rafah evacuation

Ahead of his lunch with Jordan's King Abdullah II, President Joe Biden "reiterated his clear position on Rafah" in a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.