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

Israel cover image

Israel

June 13, 2026

Tel Aviv 3:10 am

21°C

Smoke rises following Israeli bombardment in southern Lebanon close to the Beaufort Castle as seen from a position across the border in the Upper Galilee, in northern Israel on June 4, 2026.

'Pilot zones' offer litmus test for Lebanon to clear Israel border of Hezbollah

As the Trump administration focuses reaching a peace deal with Iran, US officials have been hosting backroom talks between Israeli and Lebanese diplomats aimed at finally resolving the question of Hezbollah’s entrenchment along Israel’s northern border.

US President Donald Trump talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Knesset, Jerusalem, Oct. 13, 2025.

Analysis

'A complete disaster': Israel scrambles for clarity as Trump touts emerging Iran deal

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu relayed Israel’s red lines to Trump, but given the current rift between the two leaders, the demands may be little more than a wish list.

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

US President Donald Trump (R) and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shake hands as they arrive to speak to journalists during a joint press conference at Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence in Palm Beach, Florida, on Dec. 29, 2025.

As Trump casts doubt on Netanyahu's future, Likud rushes to reaffirm support

By questioning whether Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will run in the next Knesset elections, President Donald Trump may have dented one of the Israeli leader's key political assets ahead of the vote.

Latest News

Explainer

Turkey-Israel tensions flare over Syria, Lebanon, East Med: What to know

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan buttons up his jacket during a press conference after the conclusion of the G20 Leaders' Summit at the Nasrec Expo Centre in Johannesburg on November 23, 2025.

Analysis

'We are already hearing the bus': Israeli insiders fear Netanyahu is losing Trump’s backing on Iran

US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrive to speak to journalists during a joint press conference at Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence in Palm Beach, Florida, on December 29, 2025. US President Donald Trump hosted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Florida on December 29 for crucial talks on moving to the next stage of the fragile Gaza truce plan.The two leaders also discussed Iran, with Trump saying that if Tehran rebuilt its nuclear facilities the United States wo

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

Gaza attacks widen gap between Israel's Arab parties, Gantz in coalition talks

The Israeli assassination of an Islamic Jihad leader and the killing of 32 Palestinians, including women and children, has ended any possibility of engagement by the Arab Joint List with Blue and White party leader Benny Gantz.

Islamic Jihad holds firm on Gaza cease-fire conditions

Islamic Jihad has vowed to avenge Israel’s assassination of its commander and the attempted killing of another leader in Syria.

Killing of Islamic Jihad senior: Gantz falls into Netanyahu's trap

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu must have considered beforehand what would exactly happen as a result of the elimination of Islamic Jihad senior Bahaa Abu el-Atta, including the elimination of the option of a minority government under Benny Gantz.

Avigdor Lieberman, leader of Yisrael Beitenu party, delivers a statement following his party faction meeting, near Neve Ilan, Israel September 22, 2019. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun - RC1B5B9174A0

Avigdor Liberman’s followers accept his worldview change

As at this time there is a slim chance for a minority government supported by the Arab Joint List, Yisrael Beitenu leader Avigdor Liberman’s base accepts the moderate and unusual stance of the party regarding such a government.

Hamas sits out Islamic Jihad escalation in favor of deal with Israel

The latest escalation in Gaza showed where Israel and Hamas' interests converge, as neither wants to see Islamic Jihad gain too much power.

How Palestinians view Trump refusal to resume PA security aid

The Palestinians are certain that Trump’s refusal to resume financial support for Palestinian security is personal and has been going on for a while.

Israel’s soft power victim of Netanyahu’s policies

The absence of Israel from the Paris Peace Forum reflects the spirit of its leadership, belittling multinational initiatives and neglecting soft power tools.

Islamic Jihad leader's elimination serves both Netanyahu, Hamas

Hamas' silence amid the violence with Israel indicates that the rulers of Gaza are shedding no tears over the fate of assassinated Islamic Jihad leader Bahaa Abu el-Atta, and the escalation is benefitting Israel's embattled prime minister as well.

IDF says it had no choice but to kill Islamic Jihad senior

The Israeli military operation to kill Islamic Jihad commander Bahaa Abu al-Atta was planned months in advance, after a series of rockets were fired toward Israel, including on Ashdod while Prime Minister Benjamin was delivering a speech there.

Israel’s Gaza policy: a recipe for escalation

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is heading a caretaker government that shouldn’t last long, yet he authorized a complicated operation that generated a barrage of Gaza rockets.

Memebers of the Joint List party, sits next to Israeli President Reuven Rivlin as he began talks with political parties over who should form a new government, at his residence in Jerusalem September 22, 2019. Menachen Kahana/Pool via REUTERS - RC1545ABB3C0

Can Arab parties oust Netanyahu without empowering Liberman?

Though its constituency's top priority is toppling Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the Joint List has not forgotten the vitriol expressed over the years by Yisrael Beitenu leader Avigdor Liberman.

Gaza tensions threaten chances for minority Israeli government

Most of the Arab-Israeli public supports toppling Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at any cost, but the latest rockets from Gaza might complicate this mission.