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Israel

May 9, 2026

Tel Aviv 7:23 am

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Traffic passes a billboard depicting Iranian ballistic missiles in service, with text in Arabic reading "the honest [person's] promise" and in Persian "Israel is weaker than a spider's web," Valiasr Square, Tehran, April 15, 2024. ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images.

Analysis

CIA report on Iran missiles undercuts Netanyahu as war euphoria dissipates

The findings cast doubt on Israel’s wartime gains and put pressure on Netanyahu’s campaign strategy ahead of elections.

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

People gather at the site of an Israeli airstrike that targeted Beirut's southern suburbs neighborhood of Haret Hreik on May 6, 2026.

Israel strikes Beirut in breach of Lebanon ceasefire

Israel has continued to carry out strikes in southern Lebanon but had not targeted Beirut since the ceasefire took effect.

Amirhossein KHORGOOEI / ISNA / AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

Israel fears Trump seeking Hormuz win while sidestepping Iran nuclear issue

While President Donald Trump keeps pressuring Iran on reopening the Strait of Hormuz, Israel fears the American leader will decide to cut his losses and sideline the nuclear threat.

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

Latest News

Culture

Lebanon's churches, mosques and archaeological sites damaged in Israeli strikes

A man sits watching as Lebanese first responders search for human remains among the rubble the day after a house was targeted in an Israeli airstrike in the southern Lebanese city of Nabatieh, on May 1, 2026.

Analysis

Can Bennett, Lapid unite Israel’s opposition to unseat Netanyahu?

Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs Yair Lapid (L) speaks to outgoing Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, during a meeting at the Knesset (parliament), in Jerusalem on June 30, 2022. - Final approval of the parliament dissolution bill was initially expected by midnight but was postponed to June 30 as coalition and opposition lawmakers sparred over last-minute legislative details, several sources familiar with the parliamentary said. (Photo by Menahem KAHANA / AFP) (Photo by MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP via Getty Images)

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Analysis

Iron Dome in Gulf: How Iran war turned UAE-Israel defense ties operational

AFP via Getty Images

Francesco Schiavi

By Francesco Schiavi

In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance

Samuel Wendel

Senior Market Research Analyst

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Adam Lucente

News and Business Correspondent

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

Jack Dutton

Chief Business Correspondent

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech

Ben Caspit

Israel Columnist

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

Francesco Schiavi

In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance

Rina Bassist

Associate Editor (Israel)

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett speaks as he chairs the weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem, on June 27, 2021. - The Israeli health ministry reimposed a requirement on June 25 for masks to be worn in enclosed public places, following a surge in Covid-19 cases since the rule was dropped 10 days earlier.

Is Israel breaking left under Bennett?

The decision to evacuate the West Bank Evyatar outpost suggests that the new government is further left than right.

Trump Heights Golan Heights

State Department says no change in US recognition of Israel's claim to Golan Heights

The Washington Free Beacon reported that the Biden administration would be “walking back” President Donald Trump’s decision to recognize the Golan Heights as Israeli.

masked worshipper at Al-Aqsa Mosque compound

Israel renews indoor mask mandate amid COVID-19 surge

After registering its highest daily caseload in more than two months, Israel has reimposed a mandate on mask usage indoors.

Nizar Banat's body carried

Can Abbas survive summer of Palestinian discontent?

Following killing of a political dissident, the Palestinian president’s hold on power continues to weaken, while support for Hamas is growing.

JALAA MAREY/AFP via Getty Images

Druze woman appointed Jewish Agency representative in US

Many within the Druze community are shaking their heads following news that former Knesset member Gadeer Kamal Mreeh has agreed to serve as emissary of the Jewish Agency.

Israeli Education Minister Naftali Bennett arrives to the prime minister's office to attend the weekly Cabinet meeting, Jerusalem, May 6, 2018.

Unlike Netanyahu, Bennett opts for discreet dialogue with US on Iran

The Biden administration seems to welcome the approach of the new Bennett government, of conducting a discreet yet open dialogue on the Iranian file.

MAZEN MAHDI/AFP via Getty Images

Omani FM voices hope Israel's new leaders will advance Palestinian state

Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi told his Israeli counterpart that the Gulf country is hopeful the new government in Israel can take "concrete steps" to establish a sovereign Palestinian state.

Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

IDF chief argues against Iran deal in Washington

In his meetings this week in Washington, IDF chief Aviv Kochavi reiterated Israeli warnings against the United States rejoining the Iran nuclear agreement.

HEIDI LEVINE/AFP via Getty Images

Bennett welcomes Honduran Embassy in Jerusalem

In a first such event under the Bennett government, Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez has inaugurated his country’s new embassy in Jerusalem.

Amir Levy/Getty Images

New Israeli government jumps to deepen ties with Emirates, Bahrain

Foreign Minister Yair Lapid plans to travel to the United Arab Emirates June 29-30 in the first ever Israeli ministerial visit to the country.

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, President Reuven Rivlin, Defense Minister Benny Gantz, and ousted premier Benjamin Netanyahu attend a memorial service at the Mount Herzel military cemetery in Jerusalem on June 20, 2021, commemorating soldiers who died in the 2014 Gaza war.

Netanyahu tries to sabotage new government's relations with Washington

Former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu falsely accuses Foreign Minister Yair Lapid of giving up on Israel’s freedom of action against Iran.

ABIR SULTAN/AFP via Getty Images

All eyes on enigmatic Bennett as he works out what kind of premier to be

Is new Prime Minister Naftali Bennett the right person at the right time for the job or just a political opportunist?