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July 27, 2026

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Culture

How Argentina-Spain World Cup final became debate over Israel, Palestine

Governments and fans alike have turned teams and players into symbols of political division.

Government Media Office Director Ismail Thawabteh (R) and Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem (L) speak at a press conference.

Explainer

What does Hamas' move to dissolve its Gaza government mean?

Hamas has agreed to hand civilian administration over to the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, but the committee is not yet in Gaza and may not deploy until Hamas’ disarmament is resolved.

Joint List Party leader Ayman Odeh attends a meeting on April 5, 2021 in Jerusalem, Israel.

Interview

Ayman Odeh says Arab parties could back Bennett or Eisenkot to block Netanyahu

In an interview with Al-Monitor, head of the Arab-Israeli Hadash-Ta'al Knesset faction, Ayman Odeh, said his party is prepared to make difficult decisions to topple Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government.

Ayman Odeh

Head of the Knesset's Hadash-Ta'al faction

Latest News

Who is Melat Kiros, the pro-Palestinian who unseated a longtime Democrat?

Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images

Amnesty International accuses Israel of state-led ethnic cleansing in West Bank

Israeli security forces attempt to disperse Palestinians who had gathered to protest the reported burning of land by Israeli settlers in the Palestinian village of Idna, west of Hebron in the occupied West Bank, on June 5, 2026.

Ireland bans hard-line Israeli ministers Ben-Gvir, Smotrich: What to know

Israeli policemen surround Israeli Minister of National Security and far-right politician Itamar Ben-Gvir as he arrives outside the Damascus Gate of the walled Old City of Jerusalem on May 26, 2025, during a flag march for Jerusalem Day, commemorating the Israeli army's 1967 capture of the city's eastern sector during the Arab-Israeli war.

Record Israeli arms exports highlight global rush for air defense

People stand in front of the Arrow 3 shield system during an event of the German Air Force to declare the Initial Operating Capability for the Arrow Weapon System for Germany at the Annaburger Heide Air Base in Schoenewalde / Holzdorf, eastern Germany, on Dec. 3, 2025.

Beatrice Farhat

Associate Editor (Lebanon)

In Beirut, reporting on regional news, culture, conflict

Daoud Kuttab

Palestine Columnist

In Amman, reporting on Palestinian politics

Rasha Abou Jalal

In Gaza City, reporting on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict

Abeer Ayyoub

In Istanbul, reporting on Palestine

Naima Morelli

In Rome, reporting on Middle East culture

Fatima AbdulKarim

In Ramallah, reporting on the West Bank

A worker stands and works on a campaign billboard of presidential candidate and Egypt's former army chief Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, along a highway in Cairo May 12, 2014. An influential Qatar-based Islamist whose fiery sermons have caused tension between Gulf states said on Sunday that Egyptian presidential front runner Abdel Fattah al-Sisi will only bring downfall to the country. Sisi is expected to easily win the May 26-27 presidential election. The only other candidate is leftist politician Hamdeen Sabahi, w

The false promise of Mideast elections

The coming presidential elections in Egypt, Syria and Turkey offer little hope for a regional trend toward stability and democracy.

Palestinian boys sell cigarettes and clothes on a street in Gaza City May 1, 2014. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem (GAZA - Tags: BUSINESS EMPLOYMENT SOCIETY) - RTR3NDLH

Poverty in Gaza sustains used-clothing market

Secondhand clothing sellers in Gaza see a steady increase in demand despite the social stigma.

Outgoing International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo (R) of Argentina leaves after the swearing-in ceremony to install Fatou Bensouda of Gambia as his successor at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, Netherlands June 15, 2012. REUTERS/Bas Czerwinski/Pool (NETHERLANDS - Tags: CRIME LAW POLITICS) - RTR33ND1

Former ICC prosecutor says Palestinians can join court

In an interview with Al-Monitor, Luis Moreno-Ocampo, former chief prosecutor for the International Criminal Court, says that Palestinian membership in the court is possible, but could also open up Palestinian authorities to prosecution.

Jewish settlers scuffle with Israeli border police attempting to remove the Jewish outpost of Mitzpeh Yitzhar in the West Bank May 17, 2004. Israeli troops clashed on Monday with hundreds of Jewish settlers trying to prevent the dismantling of an unauthorised settlement outpost in the West Bank. - RTXMM3O

Former Israeli minister warns of violence by 'godless' settlers

In an interview with Al-Monitor, Labor Knesset member Binyamin Ben-Eliezer calls for labeling some violent settler groups as terrorists.

A Palestinian man reads a copy of Al-Quds newspaper in Gaza City May 7, 2014. The Hamas-run government in the Gaza Strip relaxed on Wednesday a ban on distribution of Palestinian newspapers published outside the enclave, calling it a step toward implementing a unity deal with the rival Fatah group. The return of Al-Quds, the biggest-selling Palestinian daily in the occupied West Bank where President Mahmoud Abbas's Fatah holds sway, was greeted enthusiastically by Gaza residents, who snapped up copies from

Palestinians seek to heal wounds from Hamas-Fatah clashes

Initiatives have been launched in conjunction with the political reconciliation to heal the pain suffered by families who lost loved ones during the violence between Hamas and Fatah.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivers his speech during a news conference in the Independence Hall of Israel in Tel Aviv May 1, 2014. Netanyahu said on Thursday he would seek to enact a law to define Israel as a Jewish state, a step certain to raise opposition from Arab citizens who make up a fifth of the population. REUTERS/Dan Balilty/Pool (JERUSALEM - Tags: POLITICS) - RTR3NELV

Netanyahu campaigning early for next term

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continues his assault on the left.

A homeless Palestinian woman sleeps at the Erez border crossing in Gaza January 23, 2009. REUTERS/Yannis Behrakis (GAZA) - RTR23S6X

Mental illness soars in Gaza

Large numbers of Palestinians in Gaza are suffering from psychological problems as a result of the dire economic and security situation, with few resources for treatment.

An ultra Orthodox Jewish man dances with a flag during celebrations for Israel's 63nd Independence Day celebrations in Tel Aviv May 10, 2011. REUTERS/Baz Ratner (ISRAEL - Tags: ANNIVERSARY MILITARY) - RTR2M7S6

Israel's halfhearted independence celebration

Israel is losing its modest and secular character in favor of a more religious and material society.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (C) attends the weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem May 4, 2014. REUTERS/Oliver Weiken/Pool (JERUSALEM - Tags: POLITICS) - RTR3NQ5V

On Independence Day, Netanyahu caves to right wing

To ensure his seat and his political future, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu adopts the bill defining Israel as the nation-state of the Jewish people, raising “a white flag of surrender to the right wing and the settlers.”

Senior Hamas leader Moussa Abu Marzouk (L) and Azzam Al-Ahmed, a senior Fatah official talk during their meeting in Gaza City April 22, 2014. The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) sent a delegation to Gaza on Tuesday to negotiate unity with militant group Hamas for the first time since their 2007 conflict, potentially boosting Fatah leader and Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas's position. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem (GAZA - Tags: POLITICS) - RTR3M9J9

Hamas' Abu Marzouk says recognizing Israel a 'red line'

In an exclusive interview with Al-Monitor, Mousa Abu Marzouk, deputy chairman of Hamas' political bureau, said that although it "will not recognize Israel ... Hamas will not burden the next government's success with hurdles and obstacles."

TEL-AVIV, ISRAEL: The crowd of Jewish immigrants waving from the deck of trawler "Andria" as they arrive 20 May 1948 at Tel Aviv harbor. Israel was founded on 14 May 1948 by the Jewish National Council and was recognized by the United States and the Soviet Union 15 and 17 May. (Photo credit should read AFP/Getty Images)

Israel, at 66, losing its creative national spirit

Once a young, creative and peace-aspiring country, Israel is missing the spirit that animated its founders.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gestures as he arrives for a ceremony marking Memorial Day in Jerusalem May 4, 2014. Israel commemorates its fallen soldiers on Memorial Day, which begins Sunday night. REUTERS/Nir Elias (JERUSALEM - Tags: ANNIVERSARY POLITICS CONFLICT) - RTR3NQKA

Netanyahu, unscathed by peace talks collapse, finds new agenda

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu launches a bill defining Israel as the Jewish homeland, composing a new public agenda after the collapse of diplomatic talks and the fading away of the Iranian issue.