Gaza

An elections employee tapes a poster with instructions to voters ahead of the upcoming municipal elections in Deir al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip on April 21, 2026.

Feature

Gazans show cautious hope ahead of first local elections in 20 years

The city of Deir al-Balah in central Gaza is set to hold municipal elections for the first time in nearly two decades.

Rasha Abou Jalal

By Rasha Abou Jalal

In Gaza City, reporting on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict

Women read instructions to voters ahead of the upcoming municipal elections in Deir el-Balah in the central Gaza Strip on April 21, 2026.

Analysis

On eve of Palestinian local elections, competition in short supply

With many races unopposed and rivals excluded, the vote underscores a calibrated effort to contain dissent and prioritize stability.

Daoud Kuttab

By Daoud Kuttab

In Amman, reporting on Palestinian politics

Olmert

Interview

Olmert: Only Israel-Lebanon deal can curb Hezbollah, occupation 'unviable'

Former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert told Al-Monitor that Israel will only be able to defang Hezbollah if it reaches an agreement with the Lebanese government.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a joint press conference with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi in Jerusalem on February 26, 2026. (Photo by GIL COHEN-MAGEN / POOL / AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Why Netanyahu caved to Trump on Lebanon and what it means for Israel

Israelis express anger that the prime minister's maneuvering to stay out of jail has allowed the US to once again "hijack" foreign policy and national security decision-making.

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

Latest News

With Orban’s defeat in Hungary, Israel loses European shield

Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban (L) and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu review a military honor guard on April 3, 2025 in Budapest, Hungary. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived in Hungary in defiance of the International Criminal Court (ICC)'s arrest warrant against him over alleged war crimes in Gaza. Hungary has long-standing ties with Israel, and they been further bolstered up since the start of the war in Gaza, sparked by the Palestinian militant group Hamas's attack on Oct

Iran war deepens Gaza crisis as prices soar, aid falters

Children and families gather to receive free meals shortly before Iftar during the holy month of Ramadan at a displacement camp in central Gaza City, on Feb. 27, 2026.

Daoud Kuttab

By Daoud Kuttab

In Amman, reporting on Palestinian politics

Analysis

Hamas sits out Iran war as Gaza, Gulf interests take priority

Displaced Palestinians gather for a fast-breaking Iftar meal amid the rubble of destroyed buildings at the Jabalia refugee camp, in the northern Gaza Strip, during the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan, Feb. 23, 2026.

Abeer Ayyoub

By Abeer Ayyoub

In Istanbul, reporting on Palestine

Spain recalls Israel ambassador, calls Iran war 'flagrant illegality': What to know

Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez speaks during a United Nations Summit on Palestinians at UN headquarters during the United Nations General Assembly, New York, Sept. 22, 2025.

US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden greet Jordan's King Abdullah II.

Biden meets with Jordanian king as Israel begins Rafah evacuation

Ahead of his lunch with Jordan's King Abdullah II, President Joe Biden "reiterated his clear position on Rafah" in a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Smoke billows after Israeli bombardment in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, on May 6, 2024, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas.

Israel calls on Palestinians to evacuate east Rafah as deal talks reach impasse

Hamas did not publish its exact response to the Egyptian-mediated hostage-release/Gaza cease-fire deal, but for Israel, the rocket fire Sunday on the Kerem Shalom crossing signaled that the group is not interested in reaching an agreement.

AFP via Getty Images

Culture

Gaza’s Orthodox Christians spend grim Easter praying for Palestinian rebirth

The few remaining Christians in Gaza are observing a joyless Easter this week.

Israeli soldiers from the Kfir brigade's Shimshon ("Samson") battalion ride in a Merkava battle tank during a military exercise at the Tzeelim army base on July 3, 2018 simulating urban combat in the Gaza Strip. (Photo by MENAHEM KAHANA / AFP) (Photo credit should read MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP via Getty Images)

Exclusive

State Dept. notifies Congress of 4 Israeli units to keep receiving US aid

The State Department hasn't determined whether to designate a notoriously violent unit known as Netzah Yehuda under the Leahy law.

Elizabeth Hagedorn

By Elizabeth Hagedorn

In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights

Pro-Palestinian supporters continue to demonstrate with a protest encampment on the campus of Columbia University on April 30, 2024 in New York City.

Analysis

Despite crackdown, protesters ‘haven’t lost the plot' on Gaza war, says Columbia journalist

Al-Monitor’s coverage of the police action against Columbia demonstrators; Netanyahu’s Saudi temptation; Palestinian leaders chart statehood.

Week in Review

Andrew Parasiliti

By Week in Review , Andrew Parasiliti

Central Intelligence Agency Director William Burns listens during a hearing with the House (Select) Intelligence Committee in the Cannon Office Building on March 12, 2024 in Washington, DC.

CIA chief arrives in Egypt ahead of Hamas delegation for Gaza talks

The arrival of CIA chief William Burns to Cairo may indicate that not all is lost, as Washington keeps pushing for Hamas to accept the hostage release deal.

International Criminal Court's chief prosecutor Karim Khan speaks during a press conference in Bogota on June 6, 2023.

ICC warns against intimidation amid rumors of warrants for Israel PM, others

The office of International Criminal Court Prosecutor Karim Khan emphasized that attempts to influence the ICC's work constitute an offense against the administration of justice under the Rome Statute.

Yahya Sinwar, the leader of Hamas in the Gaza Strip, attends the opening of a new mosque in Rafah, Feb. 24, 2017.

Analysis

As Netanyahu huffs and puffs, Israel on hold waiting for Sinwar, ICC

When faced with threat of ICC arrest warrants, Netanyahu told Biden that with an Israeli invasion of Rafah and an escalation in clashes with Hezbollah would ensue if the United States does not help block the warrants.

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

An Israel tank rolls near the border with the Gaza Strip on May 2, 2024, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Hamas movement. (Photo by Menahem KAHANA / AFP) (Photo by MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP via Getty Images)

Hamas returns to Egypt, Israel cabinet convenes amid Gaza cease-fire push

As Israel awaits Hamas' response to the Egyptian-mediated hostage-release/cease-fire deal, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu admitted there are disagreements within the war cabinet over a military operation in Rafah.

AFP via Getty Images

Interview

EU envoy says Israel cannot condition Gaza humanitarian aid on hostage deal

EU envoy to the Middle East process Sven Koopmans said Israel cannot condition the expansion of humanitarian aid in Gaza on reaching a hostage deal with Hamas.

Sven Koopmans

Sven Koopmans

EU Special Representative for Middle East Peace Process

People walk past trucks carrying humanitarian aid that entered Gaza by truck through the Kerem Shalom (Karm Abu Salem) border crossing.

‘Bracing for the worst’: Aid groups draw up Rafah contingency plans

The uncertainty surrounding Israel’s threatened ground offensive in Gaza's southern city of Rafah has made it difficult for aid groups to prepare for their own evacuations.

Elizabeth Hagedorn

By Elizabeth Hagedorn

In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights

Colombian President Gustavo Petro delivers a speech during a May Day rally in Bogota on May 1, 2024.

Colombian president says country cutting diplomatic ties with Israel

Addressing a public gathering on Labor Day, Colombian President Gustavo Petro, a harsh critic of the Netanyahu government, announced his intention to sever diplomatic relations with Israel.