Analysis What’s at stake for Turkey as Israel heads to the polls? Israel’s Oct. 27 election could offer a chance to ease tensions with Ankara, but competing ambitions in Syria and beyond threaten to push the two US allies toward a dangerous confrontation. By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Analysis Iran and Gaza: Why Trump's backing of Netanyahu may come with strings attached Netanyahu could offer Trump several concessions: hold off on striking Iran until after the Nov. 3 US midterms, ease restrictions on Gaza’s reconstruction or crack down on settler violence in the West Bank. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Sisi says Egypt has no ‘territorial ambitions’ after Israel’s Smotrich threatens Sinai The Egyptian president’s remarks follow a warning from Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich that Israel would seize the Sinai Peninsula if Egypt attacks. Egypt
Former Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar sues Netanyahu for nearly $1M over Oct. 7 claims Bar is suing for 3 million shekels ($970,000) over a Sept. 28 post on X in which Netanyahu blamed the former Shin Bet chief for Oct. 7 intelligence failures and accused him of withholding warnings. Israel
Analysis Three years after Oct. 7, Hamas’ grip on Gaza tests Netanyahu’s ‘total victory’ By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Jerusalem’s Orthodox Patriarch: Israeli strike on Gaza church a ‘war crime’ The Saint Porphyrius Church, in the al-Zaytoun neighborhood of Gaza City, was built in 1150 by crusaders and is considered the oldest active church in the Gaza Strip. Palestine
Analysis Hezbollah 'recalculating' Israel's deterrence after Hamas attack, US aid Some military experts believe Hamas' attack and the scope of proposed US military assistance to Israel point to a vulnerability that is making Israel's opponents rethink their positions. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Biden links Hamas, Putin as he pledges ‘unprecedented’ Israel support In a rare Oval Office address, President Joe Biden said he would request from Congress emergency funding for war-torn Israel and Ukraine. Israel
Day 13 of Hamas-Israel war blog: Thursday, Oct. 19 American forces in the region came under drone attacks in both Syria and Iraq and a US destroyer in the region thwarted cruise missile attacks by Yemen's Houthis in the Red Sea. Israel
Israel retaliates after 30 rockets fired from Lebanon Both Hezbollah and the Lebanon Hamas branch took responsibility for missiles and rockets fired against Israeli localities in the north of the country. Israel
US destroyer shoots down cruise missiles by Iran-backed Houthis Iran-backed factions appeared to break several months of detente with US forces in the Middle East this week by launching drone and missile attacks in the Red Sea, Iraq and Syria amid Israel's war in Gaza, throwing the Pentagon's deterrence efforts into question. Syria
Sunak supports Israel, hails accord on Gaza humanitarian aid delivery British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak expressed support of Israel’s right to self-defense and welcomed its agreeing to allow humanitarian aid through the Rafah crossing. Israel
Gaza in 'unprecedented catastrophe': over 3,700 deaths, 1,524 are children Aid trucks are expected to start entering Gaza through the Rafah crossing after an agreement by the US and Egyptian presidents. Palestine
Netanyahu agrees to Biden’s request for humanitarian aid via Egypt After his meeting with US President Joe Biden, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the war cabinet agreed to the transfer of humanitarian aid to Gaza, but only through the Rafah crossing in Egypt. Israel
US intelligence suggests Israel did not bomb Gaza hospital: sources Pentagon officials say independent US intelligence casts doubt on allegations the IDF bombed the al-Ahli hospital in northern Gaza, but cautioned that not all information is in yet. Israel
