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

Israel cover image

Israel

September 9, 2026

Tel Aviv 2:21 pm

34°C

TOPSHOT - Explosions from projectile interceptions by Israel's Iron Dome missile defence system are pictured over Tel Aviv on February 28, 2026. The United States and Israel launched strikes against Iran on February 28, with Israel's public broadcaster reporting that the Iranian supreme leader had been targeted, as the Islamic republic retaliated with barrages of missiles at Gulf states and Israel. (Photo by Jack GUEZ / AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Israel braces for Iran attack as Trump’s economic squeeze on Tehran intensifies

Skeptical about the effectiveness of the American economic blockade on Tehran to weaken the regime, Israel is preparing for the possibility that Iran could decide to strike the Jewish state during the upcoming high holidays.

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

West Bank settlements

12 countries including France, UK, Canada end trade with West Bank settlements

The decision comes against the backdrop of an escalation in settler violence and settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank.

Israeli soldiers take positions during a military operation in the town of Qalqiya, in the occupied West Bank, Dec. 4, 2025.

Katz warns PA against 'Oct. 7-style' attack as West Bank violence rises

After a West Bank stabbing of an Israeli settler, Defense Minister Israel Katz warns the Palestinian Authority against launching an “Oct. 7-style” assault.

An excavator digs as rescuers search for survivors amid the rubble following an overnight Israeli airstrike on the village of Kfar Roummane, southern Lebanon, Sept. 7, 2026.

Lebanon says at least 12 killed in Israeli strikes as tensions rise in south

The escalation in southern Lebanon casts a shadow over upcoming Israel-Lebanon talks in Rome.

Latest News

Analysis

LORA missile test reveals limits of Germany’s Gaza criticism of Israel

A woman walks past a model of a Lora missile, Israel's long range artillery missile at the Israel defence stall at the international DefExpo 2008 defence fair, in New Delhi on February 16, 2008. India kicked off South Asia's largest defence fair, with hundreds of global weapons firms offering their latest hardware to the country's technology-hungry military. About 450 weapons companies from 30 countries are present at the four-day "DefExpo" in New Delhi, with several big-ticket announcements expected. AFP P

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Analysis

How Jewish politician joining Arab party could reshape Israeli politics

Raam

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Analysis

Playing for time: Despite US pressure, Israel stalls Lebanon talks until after election

Ammar Ammar / AFP via Getty Images

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

Analysis

As Israeli settler attacks mount, Trump avoids public pressure on Netanyahu

Israeli soldiers arrive in the village of Qusra, south of Nablus in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, which has faced escalating Israeli settler violence over the past month, on Aug. 29, 2026.

Elizabeth Hagedorn

By Elizabeth Hagedorn

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

Samuel Wendel

Senior Analyst, Middle East Business & Tech

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

Barnea, Netanyahu and Cohen of Israel's Mossad.

David Barnea to be nominated as next Mossad head

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced today that current Deputy Mossad Chief David Barnea will replace head of the espionage agency Yossi Cohen, who finishes his mandate at the beginning of June.

AHMAD GHARABLI/AFP via Getty Images

Israeli soldier, civilian stabbed in east Jerusalem

Israeli police shot and killed a Palestinian man after he allegedly stabbed a soldier and civilian in east Jerusalem Monday.

Stefani Reynolds/Getty Images

Blinken visits Middle East to bolster Israel-Hamas cease-fire

Secretary of State Antony Blinken will visit Jerusalem, Ramallah, Cairo and Amman this week for discussions on maintaining the fragile cease-fire between Israel and Hamas.

US President Joe Biden delivers remarks on the conflict in the Middle East from the White House on May 20, 2021 in Washington, DC.

Israeli-Palestinian conflict forces Biden to put Mideast on agenda

Egyptian and Palestinian Authority leaders are back at center stage of US regional diplomacy.

Netanyahu briefing

A ‘new level of force’: Netanyahu warns against further Hamas attacks

“If Hamas thinks we will tolerate a drizzle of rockets, it is wrong,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said after the cease-fire took effect.

Turkish President and leader of Justice and Development (AK) Party Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks during his ruling AK Party's group meeting at the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (GNAT), in Ankara, on April 21, 2021.

Israel-Hamas conflict exposes Turkey’s irrelevance in region

Turkey’s apparent exclusion from cease-fire talks between Israel and Hamas shows President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s foreign policy is in tatters.

EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP via Getty Images

Israel reaches crossroads in Gaza

Many politicians agree that it's time for Israel to rethink its policy toward the Strip.

A Palestinian man walks in a neighborhood hit by Israeli bombardment in Gaza City, after a ceasefire brokered by Egypt between Israel and Hamas, on May 21, 2021.

World leaders react to Israel-Hamas cease-fire, pledge to rebuild

In a White House address, President Joe Biden pledged to rally international support for reconstruction efforts in the Gaza Strip.

Israeli soldiers patrol Zikim beach near the border with the Gaza Strip after Israel and Hamas agreed on a cease-fire, Zikim, Israel, May 21, 2021.

Netanyahu: Gaza cease-fire agreed following IDF recommendations

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu prefers to have the IDF responsible for the decision to end the fighting against Hamas, instead of admitting he caved into pressure by US President Joe Biden.

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) speaks to reporters following a procedural vote on the nomination of Polly Ellen Trottenberg to be Deputy Secretary of Transportation at the U.S. Capitol on April 12, 2021 in Washington, DC.

Bernie Sanders introduces Senate resolution to block $735 million weapons sale to Israel

Sanders' move will force a vote in the Senate on whether or not to block the arms sale.

Washington Pulse

Palestinians inspect damage to buildings in Gaza City on May 20, 2021 in Gaza City, Gaza.

Israel, Hamas declare cease-fire after 11 days of fighting

Israel’s Security Cabinet unanimously approved an Egyptian cease-fire proposal on the 11th day of conflict with Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip that has left more than 200 people dead.

MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP

Environmentalists call Eilat oil shipping disaster waiting to happen

Environmental groups claim that the new project to transport Gulf oil via Eilat to Europe is likely to damage the local unique coral reef.