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Israel

May 9, 2026

Tel Aviv 12:57 pm

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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

ERIC FEFERBERG/AFP via Getty Images

Israel’s new president brings spirit of compromise

Jewish Agency head Isaac Herzog was chosen Israel’s new president only hours before Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid announced the composition of a new government.

JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images

Despite agreements, fate of Israel’s new government still uncertain

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, senior Likud members and settler leaders are calling upon legislators in Yamina and New Hope to defect from the change bloc.

This combination of pictures shows (L to R) Yair Lapid of the Yesh Atid party speaking during an interview in Jerusalem on March 7, 2021; Naftali Bennett of the Yamina party speaking to reporters at a conference in Jerusalem on March 15, 2021; and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of the Likud party speaking during a ceremony marking Yom HaZikaron, Israel's Memorial Day, in Jerusalem on April 13, 2021.

Israel’s new government explained

If the eight-faction change government succeeds in getting sworn in, this is how it will look like.

Ra'am Party leader Mansour Abbas (L) signs a coalition agreement with Yair Lapid (L) and Naftali Bennett (C) in Jerusalem, June 2, 2021.

The Takeaway: Israel’s new government united in opposition to Bibi but not much else

Israeli Arab party leader Mansour Abbas makes history as dealmaker; will Hamas and Assad bury the hatchet; Does Hadi have a future in Yemen? Egypt, Sudan double down on military, economic ties; update on UN Iraq report; more!

Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid in Knesset on June 2

Minutes before deadline expires, Israel gets new government

Minutes before his mandate expired, Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid announced that he had called President Reuven Rivlin to tell him that Lapid had signed agreements providing the support needed to form a government that will oust Benjamin Netanyahu from power.

Pro Palestinian protesters face off with a group of Israel supporters and police in a violent clash in Times Square on May 20, 2021 in New York City.

Israeli-Hamas conflict continues to reverberate in US

US backers of Israelis, Palestinians argue their cases.

Isaac Herzog

Isaac Herzog elected Israel’s next president

With the support of an historic majority of 87 parliamentarians, Jewish Agency chair Isaac Herzog has been elected Israel’s 11th president.

Amir Levy/Getty Images

In first for Israel, Arab party speaks with official voice in coalition talks

Whatever the outcome of tonight's talks on the composition of a new government, Raam head Mansour Abbas had already made history by openly participating in the negotiations for the change coalition.

Google sign

Israel to get own cloud in deals with Amazon, Google

In a bold move, Israel has signed a series of contracts with Amazon Web Services and Google to provide the government with cloud services.

Kochavi

Israeli officials play down IDF chief’s comments about bombed Gaza tower

Defense Minister Benny Gantz dismissed Kochavi's comments as illustrative, not literal.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrives at the Knesset, the Israeli Parliament, to deliver a political statement in Jerusalem, on May 30, 2021.

Netanyahu heads for opposition benches

The next government is not composed yet, but outgoing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is already preparing his next campaign for the premiership from the opposition benches.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, wearing a mask for protection against the coronavirus, attends a special Cabinet meeting on the occasion of Jerusalem Day at the city's municipality building, Jerusalem, May 9, 2021.

Improbable coalition of three rivals readies to topple Netanyahu

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ruled Israel for 12 consecutive years, so it took a coalition of strange political partners to finally oust him from his position.