Israel - AL-MONITOR: The Middle Eastʼs leading independent news source since 2012

Israel cover image

Israel

July 12, 2026

Tel Aviv 5:40 pm

31°C

Jim WATSON / AFP via Getty Images

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.

Latest News

Explainer

Lebanon's latest damage estimate outlines reconstruction challenge

Froun

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

Anti-Judicial overhaul demonstrators protest against the arrival of Israel's Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, outside the OECD headquarters, June 7 2023

Israel’s Smotrich met with protests in France, vows to continue judicial reform

At the OECD ministerial meeting in Paris, Israel’s Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich dismissed warnings in the organization's economic report that the judicial overhaul will hurt Israel’s economy.

Israel Morocco

Israeli parliament speaker Amir Ohana pays first visit to Morocco

As the son of Moroccan-born parents, Knesset speaker Amir Ohana is especially moved to visit his family's homeland.

The Canadian Military in an armoured personel carrier drive away from a house that is flooding after dropping off people to sandbag because of high water levels on the Red River in Winnipeg, Manitoba 30 April. The water on the Red River continues to rise and over 20,000 people have been evacuated from their homes. AFP PHOTO/Carlo ALLEGRI (Photo credit should read CARLO ALLEGRI/AFP via Getty Images)

Canada’s arms exports boom to Saudi Arabia, Israel, Qatar

Some 92% of Saudi Arabia's purchases were armored combat vehicles with most of the shipments coming from a $15 billion contract reached in 2014 but only approved for export by Canada’s current government.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud.

Blinken heads to Saudi Arabia with Israel ties on agenda

Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s much-anticipated visit to the kingdom comes after years of strain over the price of oil and human rights.

Flags of Saudi Arabia and Israel stand together in a kitchen staging area as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken holds meetings at the State Department in Washington, DC, October 14, 2021. (Photo by JONATHAN ERNST / POOL / AFP) (Photo by JONATHAN ERNST/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Israel undecided on Saudi Arabia's demand for civil nuclear technology

Israel’s security establishment is categorically opposed to the possibility of Saudi Arabia obtaining civil nuclear capabilities, but the political echelon in Israel has not made up its mind yet.

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

Sam Altman, US entrepreneur, investor, programmer, and founder and CEO of artificial intelligence company OpenAI, speaks at Tel Aviv University in Tel Aviv on June 5, 2023. (Photo by JACK GUEZ / AFP) (Photo by JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images)

Israel’s Netanyahu calls Elon Musk, Sam Altman, pledges national AI strategy

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is currently visiting Israel where he met with President Isaac Herzog but only held a phone conversation with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Israeli soldiers carry the coffin of Lia Ben Nun, one of three soldiers killed in the cross-border incident with Egypt, during the funeral in Rishon Lezion, June 4, 2023.

Analysis

Israel-Egypt security cooperation rattled but steady after border attack

While Israel mourns its three soldiers killed by an Egyptian policeman, both countries need for the security cooperation between them to continue.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Rescuers prepare to search following a capsized boat at Lake Maggiore, Italy, May 29, 2023.

Italian press questions circumstances of ex-Mossad agent’s death

The Italian newspaper La Republicca suggests that the Israeli and Italian passengers on the boat that capsized on Lake Maggiore were actually spy agents celebrating cooperation.

An Israeli border guard stands guard as people draped in rainbow flags march during the 21st annual Jerusalem Pride Parade in Jerusalem on June 1, 2023. (Photo by Menahem KAHANA / AFP) (Photo by MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP via Getty Images)

Israelis rally in Jerusalem’s LGBT parade amid rise in hate rhetoric

More than ever before, this year’s Jerusalem gay pride parade offered a stage for opponents of the current far-right/ultra-Orthodox coalition and the judicial overhaul advanced by the government.

AHMAD GHARABLI/AFP via Getty Images

Israel’s Shin Bet chief meets CIA director for talks on Palestinians, Iran

Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar met in Washington with CIA chief William Burns over mutual concerns for the stability of the Palestinian Authority.

Israeli military vehicles patrol the border with Lebanon near the Israeli Kibbutz of Shtula, July 3, 2022.

Israel, Hezbollah rattle swords, with military drills near border

The military drills of Hezbollah and of the Israel Defense Forces — only a few days apart — reflect growing tensions on Israel’s northern border.

Israeli gas fields

Israel announces new natural gas field off its coast

The official announcement on the discovery of the Katlan-Orca natural gas field off Israel's coast paves the way for hydrocarbon exploration company Energian to seek development and exploitation permits.