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Israel

July 12, 2026

Tel Aviv 10:28 pm

26°C

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Analysis

As US-Iran fighting resumes, Israel weighs 3 options with restraint winning, for now

Despite Israel's military readiness to resume strikes on Iran, officials say looming elections make Netanyahu more likely to stay out unless Tehran forces his hand.

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

Former Israeli army chief of staff Gadi Eizenkot speaks during the launch of the Yashar party's election campaign in Hod Aharon, in central Israel, on June 30, 2026.

New Israeli election poll puts Eisenkot ahead of Netanyahu: What to know

Gadi Eisenkot’s Yashar party has now bypassed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud in the polls, cementing his status as Netanyahu’s main opponent.

U.S. President Donald Trump meets with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte (not shown) for bilateral talks at Beştepe Presidential Compound during the NATO Summit on July 08, 2026 in Ankara, Turkey. Leaders from NATO's 32 countries, plus NATO allies like Ukraine, gathered in the Turkish capital to discuss a range of issues involving spending targets, defense industrial production, and support for Ukraine, among other topics. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Trump declares MoU with Iran 'over' as Hegseth cancels trip to Israel

Trump said diplomacy with Tehran was “a waste of time” after renewed attacks around Hormuz, as US defense chief reportedly cancels Israel visit.

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Lebanon's latest damage estimate outlines reconstruction challenge

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Analysis

Trump's F-35 push for Turkey runs into CAATSA — and Israel

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (L) welcomes US President Donald Trump (R) upon his arrival on Air Force One at Etimesgut Air Base near Ankara, on July 7, 2026, before attending the 36th NATO Heads of State and Government Summit. (Photo by SAUL LOEB / AFP via Getty Images)

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

Israel, Greece conduct military drills ahead of NATO summit in Turkey

ABIR SULTAN / AFP via Getty Images

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

ABBAS MOMANI/AFP via Getty Images

Has Israel’s army become too small?

Outgoing IDF deputy chief of staff Eyal Zamir warned this week that Israel's army would struggle to manage the multiple threats facing the country.

JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images

Erdogan, Herzog share rare phone call

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Israeli President Isaac Herzog expressed their mutual desire for improving bilateral ties.

JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images

Israeli Supreme Court OKs surrogacy for same sex-couples, single men

Israel’s High Court of Justice said restrictions barring same-sex couples from using surrogate mothers to become parents must end in six months.

European Union

Israel’s Lapid pumps European hands in Brussels

Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid's enthusiastic connecting in Brussels clearly indicates he intends to reboot Israel’s ties with the European Union.

EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP via Getty Images

Liberman takes on ultra-Orthodox

New finance Minister Avigdor Liberman is ending daycare subsidies for ultra-Orthodox families in which the husband studies rather than works.

A former Israeli Druze officer (R) holds a banner that reads in Hebrew, "Bibi, look at the absurdity that you have created with your law,"

Israel's top court upholds Jewish nation-state law

The 2018 law, which enshrines national self-determination as a unique right of the Jewish people, was denounced by critics who say it discriminates against Israel's Arab population.

Incoming Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett (R) and Foreign Minister Yair Lapid attend the first meeting of the new government, Jerusalem, June 13, 2021.

Israel’s Bennett rethinks Iran policy

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett is reviewing Israel’s policy on Iran in order to find the best strategy adapted to the developing situation in the region and worldwide.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meets with members of the Israeli border police in the central city of Lod, near Tel Aviv, on May 13, 2021, a day after Israeli far-right groups clashed with security forces and Arab Israelis.

Israeli imam charged with inciting violence

Yusuf Albaz allegedly called for police to be killed during May's unrest in the city of Lod.

jordan water pipe

Israel’s Bennett, Jordan's king meet secretly, make water deal

In a meeting July 8 in Jordan, Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid and Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi formalized an agreement reached by Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Jordanian King Abdullah last week on increasing the quantity of water Israel will sell to Jordan.

A building that belonged to Palestinian Montasser Shalaby, who was arrested in May on suspicion of carrying out a drive-by shooting attack, is imploded in the course of its demolition by Israeli forces in the village of Turmus'ayya near Ramallah in the occupied West Bank on July 8, 2021.

Bennett bristles under US criticism for punitive house demolition

In a first open disagreement, Washington condemned Jerusalem for demolishing the family home of a Palestinian assailant, while Jerusalem said its first priority is the safety of Israeli citizens.

EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP via Getty Images

Herzog inauguration marks new beginning for Israelis

With his pleasant persona, political record and status as an international statesman, new President Isaac Herzog could be the answer to the divides that have plagued Israeli society for years.

GIL COHEN-MAGEN/AFP via Getty Images

Isaac Herzog sworn in as Israeli president

Newly inaugurated President Isaac Herzog pledged to work to mend the rifts and divides in Israeli society.