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Israel

May 1, 2026

Tel Aviv 4:40 am

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Members of the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP), from the British Army's 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards, No. 2 Company, patrol along the buffer zone separating the internationally recognized Republic of Cyprus and the breakaway Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus in the divided capital Nicosia on Feb. 17, 2026.

Turkey warns France over Cyprus troop deployment: What to know

A potential French deployment to Greek Cyprus comes amid Turkey’s growing concerns of strategic encirclement in the Eastern Mediterranean.

President Donald Trump gives a speech during the State Arrival Ceremony on the South Lawn on April 28, 2026, in Washington.

Trump speaks with Netanyahu, Putin as Iran pressure campaign escalates

President Donald Trump spoke by phone separately with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Russian President Vladimir Putin, discussing the situation in Iran and the possibility of extending the ceasefire.

DENIS LOVROVIC/AFP via Getty Images

Israel rejects Ukraine's claim that Russian shadow fleet vessel docked in Haifa

Ukraine alleges the vessel unloaded wheat taken from occupied territories in Haifa, while Israel says ship had not entered the port.

ANWAR AMRO/AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

Despite Trump pressure to limit Israel's Lebanon attacks, Aoun-Netanyahu meeting still unlikely

As President Donald Trump pressures Israel to limit its strikes in Lebanon, Hezbollah is taking advantage of the situation.

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

Latest News

Turkey’s military spending jumps to $30B, leads Mideast growth in 2025

Turkey's submarines and fast-attack craft ships participate in the live-fire phase of the Blue Homeland-2026 (Mavi Vatan) tactical military exercises in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, in Antalya on April 9, 2026.

Why US, Israel are freezing France out of Lebanon talks

French President Emmanuel Macron speaks to journalists as he arrives for an informal meeting of the European Council in Nicosia, Cyprus, April 24, 2026.

Analysis

Why Saudi Arabia, Egypt are wary of Turkey’s proposed 4-way defense pact with Pakistan

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan hosted the third meeting of the foreign ministers of Turkey, Egypt, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia on the margins of the 5th Antalya Diplomacy Forum, on April 17, 2026.

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Analysis

Israel fears Trump angling for Lebanon deal to offset Iran missteps

US Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa (R) holds a signed "Make America Great Again" hat while (L-R) US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Lebanon Ambassador to the US Nada Hamadeh Moawad listen to US President Donald Trump speak during a meeting with Lebanon Ambassador to the US and Israel Ambassador to the US, at the White House in Washington, DC on April 23, 2026. US President Donald Trump met Lebanese and Israeli envoys at a new round of peace talks Thursday, with Beirut seeking a one-month extension of a

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

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

Ben Caspit and Daoud Kuttab Webinar

Israeli, Palestinian journalists preview Gaza war at Al-Monitor event

Ben Caspit and Daoud Kuttab delved into the details of Israel’s security failures, the future of the Palestinian quest for statehood and the ongoing war with Hamas in the Gaza Strip at Al-Monitor's webinar.

Israel has pounded northern Gaza since Hamas's deadly incursion a week ago

Day 8 of Hamas-Israel war blog: Saturday, Oct. 14

Eight days into the fighting between Israel and Hamas, nearly 1 million are now displaced in Gaza as rocket barrages continue in the direction of Israel and the Israeli bombardment intensifies on the enclave.

Gaza fighting

'We are living a real doomsday': Gaza residents with nowhere to hide from Israel’s looming incursion

Al-Monitor correspondent in Gaza says “no one is able to help anyone” as Israel prepares for ground assault; our reporting from Israel, Gaza, Egypt, Iran and more; why China sees the war as a net negative.

A demonstrator holds a placard during a rally in Milan on the sixth day of the war between Israel and the Palestinian Hamas movement, October 12, 2023.

Turkey says 'intensive contacts' underway to free Israel's hostages with Hamas

The Turkish president said his government, which has channels to both Hamas and Israel, is seeking the release of hostages held in Gaza, but hinted at Western obstacles.

An Israeli Merkava battle tank moves in a convoy along the border with the Gaza Strip in southern Israel, October 13, 2023.

Analysis

Israel's cruel dilemma as it embarks on ground operation in Gaza

With two former generals, leaders of the opposition, now inside the cabinet, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may soon launch a ground offensive.

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

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin (L) and Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant speak to the press at Israel Aerospace Industries headquarters, in Tel Aviv, March 9, 2023.

'We have your back,' US defense chief pledges on visit to Israel

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin reassured Israeli leaders of continued US support in the war against Hamas.

A jewelry shop employee displays 24-carat gold bars in Ahmedabad, August 20, 2011.

Oil, gold climb amid Israeli-Hamas war, tighter Russian sanctions

One analyst predicts gold could reach $4,000 per ounce by year-end amid uncertainty caused by the Middle East conflict.

People inspect the damage to their home after Israeli strikes in the Rafah camp in southern Gaza

Day 7 of Hamas-Israel war blog: Friday, Oct. 13

As the clock ticks down for residents to evacuate north Gaza before a ground invasion, protests are rocking the Arab world and border clashes broken out between the Israeli military and the Lebanese Armed Forces.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Analysis

Snubbed by Russia, Israel and Ukraine draw closer after Hamas attack

Russian President Vladimir Putin offered little solidarity to Israel over the Hamas attack.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken meets with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Tel Aviv, Oct. 12, 2023.

Blinken in Israel reassures that US support remains 'ironclad'

US secretary of state commits to US remaining by Israel on his first visit there since it was attacked by Hamas.

Israeli artillery units fire towards the Gaza have pounded the heavily populated enclave since Saturday

Israel-Hamas War: Live Q&A with Ben Caspit & Daoud Kuttab

Catch up on Thursday's webinar discussing the Israel-Hamas war, featuring our Israel and Palestine columnists.

Olaf Scholz

Europe cracks down on Hamas-linked activities fearing spike in antisemitism

European capitals are beefing up their security presence to prevent a rise in antisemitic incidents that have taken place since Hamas attacked Israel on Saturday.