Feature 50,000 Israeli expats fly home to vote in potential boon to Netanyahu rivals Israel prohibits voting from abroad with limited exceptions, and Israelis who spoke to Al-Monitor said they are especially motivated to fly home this year. By Adam Lucente In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change
Analysis How Israel opposition infighting is boosting Netanyahu days before election Discord within the opposition, including its reluctance to name a single candidate for prime minister ahead of the Oct. 27 election, is working in Netanyahu’s favor. By Mazal Mualem In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics
In first, Israel’s Netanyahu says he held call with Syria’s Ahmed al-Sharaa It is the first publicly disclosed contact between the leaders of Israel and Syria, which lack formal relations and have fought several wars. Sharaa’s government began US-mediated talks with Israel in 2025. Syria
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
Exclusive Rights, faith groups urge Congress to block $2.8B bomb sale to Israel By Elizabeth Hagedorn In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights
Lebanon evacuates Beirut hospital as Israeli strikes expand Lebanon on Monday evacuated its Sahel Hospital after the Israeli military alleged that Hezbollah stores cash and gold amounting to hundreds of millions of dollars in a bunker beneath it. Lebanon
What's behind Algeria's suspension of Saudi-owned Al Arabiya? Algeria suspended the press license of Saudi state-owned Al Arabiya news channel just one day after Iraq suspended the license of Saudi-owned TV channel MBC. Algeria
US envoy Hochstein says 1701 'not enough' to end Israel war in Lebanon US special envoy Amos Hochstein is in Lebanon for talks on a formula that would put a stop to the war in Lebanon, after Israel reportedly presented new conditions for a cease-fire. Lebanon
Analysis How does Sinwar's death reshape Iran's proxy war on Israel? Sinwar's killing is seen as a major blow to the group and to Iran as well given the operational role he played within Hamas and how he closely aligned Hamas' policies with Tehran's strategic interests and regional ambitions. By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Turkey’s Fidan meets Hamas political leaders in Istanbul after Sinwar's killing The meeting came a day after the killing of Yahya Sinwar, the militant group's leader, was confirmed and coincided with the top Iranian diplomat Abbas Araghchi’s visit to Turkey. Turkey
Who was Yahya Sinwar, Hamas' elusive leader killed by Israel in Gaza? Sinwar, Hamas' leader in Gaza and head of the group's political bureau, is one of several high-ranking Hamas officials to be killed by Israel in the ongoing war. Israel
Iran FM Araghchi meets Egypt’s Sisi amid diplomatic push: What we know The Iranian foreign minister held talks with President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, during which both agreed on the need to promote relations between the two countries. Egypt
Israel confirms killing Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar in Gaza operation Sinwar, 61, was killed Wednesday in fighting with Israeli forces in Rafah, southern Gaza. After the killing of Ismail Haniyeh this past July in Iran, Sinwar assumed the leadership of both the political and military wings of Hamas. Israel
France again bans Israeli firms from defense fair, deepening diplomatic rift In another sign of deteriorating bilateral relations between Israel and France, Israeli companies will be prevented from featuring their products at the international maritime exposition Euronaval in Paris in November. Israel
Iran’s Quds Force head Qaani appears in Tehran after death rumors The appearance is the first proof of life offered by Iran since Ismail Qaani reportedly went missing in Lebanon following an Israeli strike targeting a top Hezbollah official. Iran
Israel says August Tel Aviv suicide attack planned by Hamas office in Turkey The Shin Bet and Israel Police revealed that they arrested nine people suspected of involvement in the August Tel Aviv suicide bomber attack, allegedly carried out under instructions from Hamas' office in Turkey. Israel
US THAAD missile defense system begins arriving in Israel The arrival of a THAAD system and US troops comes after Israel's Arrow antiballistic missile batteries underperformed during Iran's Oct. 1 barrage of more than 180 ballistic missiles. United States
