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Israel

July 12, 2026

Tel Aviv 10:05 am

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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.

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Lebanon's latest damage estimate outlines reconstruction challenge

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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

Israel's new Economics and Trade Minister Naftali Bennett, leader of the Jewish Home party, gestures as he arrives to attend the first cabinet meeting after the swearing-in of the new Israeli government in Jerusalem on March 18, 2013. A new Israeli governing coalition with a strong showing of pro-settlement hardliners formally took office after confirmation by parliament days before a landmark US presidential visit. AFP PHOTO/POOL/DAVID VAAKNIN (Photo credit should read DAVID VAAKNIN/AFP/Getty Images

Netanyahu seizes chance to put Bennett in his place

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu must be encouraged by a poll that anticipates 18 mandates for a new party headed by him, if he decides to reshape the Likud Party or form a new coalition.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (L) talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as leaders gathered to deliver a joint statement on Middle East Peace talks in the East Room of the White House in Washington September 1, 2010. REUTERS/Jason Reed (UNITED STATES - Tags: POLITICS) - RTR2HTDF

Netanyahu reveals no intention of settler withdrawal

Against the backdrop of Israeli attempts to blame President Mahmoud Abbas for the failure of the peace talks, a new study recommends immediate steps to separate from the Palestinians, thus preserving Israel’s Jewish-democratic character.

A combination photo shows Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaking during a session at the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos January 23, 2014. REUTERS/Ruben Sprich (SWITZERLAND - Tags: POLITICS BUSINESS TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY) - RTX17RB9

Netanyahu readies alibi for collapse of peace talks

The bickering between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and HaBayit HaYehudi Chairman Naftali Bennett is the warm-up for the main event, when the US-brokered peace talks collapse.

Palestinian workers build houses for Jewish settlers in the West Bank settlement of Ma'ale Adumim July 26. Building on Jewish settlements in the West Bank and Gaza Strip more than doubled in the first quarter of this year, Israeli Radio said on Sunday. - RTXI53F

Settlement mayor: Renouncing Jordan Valley will destroy Likud

Ma'ale Adumim settlement Mayor Benny Kasriel says, ''Anyone who'll concede the Jordan Valley will find himself out of the Likud Party.''

Palestinian demonstrators protest near the Israeli border fence with Gaza, as Israeli soldiers stand guard on the other side near Karni crossing, January 17, 2014. REUTERS/Amir Cohen (ISRAEL - Tags: MILITARY CIVIL UNREST RELIGION POLITICS) - RTX17IF1

Ya'alon blamed for neglecting Israelis living near Gaza

Heads of localities in southern Israel near Gaza blame Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon for neglecting their security, following decision to cut back the defense budget despite the turmoil in the Sinai Peninsula.

A section of the controversial Israeli barrier runs along the Shuafat refugee camp in the West Bank, as seen from Jerusalem January 3, 2014. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu offered a gloomy assessment of peace prospects with the Palestinians on Thursday as U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry began his 10th visit to the region in pursuit of a deal. Leaders from both sides have to address core issues of the decades-old conflict, such as the question of borders, security, refugees and the status of Je

Israel's separation fence accommodates settlers

This week, the Israeli Supreme Court will hear a petition against the last portion of the separation fence, planned to cut through a unique ancient terrace landscape.

Israel's President Shimon Peres and the wife of Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Sara (R) attend a session at the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos January 23, 2014. REUTERS/Ruben Sprich (SWITZERLAND - Tags: POLITICS BUSINESS) - RTX17RCB

End of the Shimon Peres era in Israel

Israeli President Shimon Peres receives the Spirit of Davos Award as he soon plans to depart the stage as Israel's visionary elder statesman.

An Israeli high school student looks up during class in a bomb shelter in the southern city of Beersheba January 12, 2009. Israeli troops fought fierce gun battles with Hamas fighters on Monday, keeping military pressure on the Islamist group while avoiding urban warfare that would complicate ongoing diplomatic efforts to end the Gaza war. An Israeli military spokesman said army reservists had been thrown into the offensive that Israel launched 17 days ago with the declared aim of ending Hamas cross-border

Israelis debate classroom freedom of speech

In the past week, the educational system, the Knesset and the Israeli government have all dealt with an incident in which a 12th-grade student caused a stir around a teacher who expressed left-wing views in the classroom.

Acting Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres (L), listens to his cabinet minister Shulamit Aloni (R), and with Minister Avraham Shohat (R), and senior adviser Uri Savir - RTXFKKT

Israel mourns Shulamit Aloni, champion of feminism in Israeli politics

The former education minister and Israel Prize laureate, Shulamit Aloni, was the grand dame of civil rights, and above all a pioneer in the fight for women’s rights in Israel's male-dominated, militaristic environment.

A Palestinian man looks out a window beside bloodstains on the wall of a house at the scene of an Israeli air strike in Beit Hanoun, in the northern Gaza Strip January 22, 2014. Israel killed two Gaza gunmen in an air strike on Wednesday, blaming one of them for firing rockets across the border during former Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's funeral last week. Islamic Jihad claimed one man, Ahmed Al-Za'anin, as its own, without immediately commenting on the other's affiliation. REUTERS/Suhaib Salem (GAZ

Islamic Jihad blames Israel for Gaza escalation

After Israeli strikes killed two Islamic Jihad members in the Gaza Strip, the movement has come out accusing Israel of escalation, in what it says is an attempt to fuel intra-Palestinian conflict.

Former Israeli prime minister and Likud lawmaker Benjamin Netanyahu (L) sits next to Likud lawmaker Gideon Sa'ar (C) and interim Likud party chairman Tzahi Hanegbi (R) at a Likud party meeting in Jerusalem November 21, 2005. Prime Minister Ariel Sharon asked Israel's president on Monday to dissolve parliament, opening the way for a snap election around March that he hopes to win as head of a new centrist party. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun - RTR1BF8H

Controversy brews over Israeli babies born to Thai surrogates

The campaign accusing Interior Minister Gideon Saar of being responsible for babies born through surrogacy in Thailand not allowed to leave should blame agencies and the parents instead.

A freed Palestinian prisoner (L) is greeted by a relative upon arrival at Rafah crossing in the southern Gaza Strip December 18, 2011. Israel plans to release 550 Palestinian prisoners on Sunday in the second stage of a deal with Hamas that brought home soldier Gilad Shalit after five years of captivity in the Gaza Strip. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa (GAZA - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST) - RTR2VF9U

Released Palestinian detainees struggle with life outside prison

Although Palestinian prisoners are given much attention and press when released, they face many challenges alone when it comes to re-entering everyday life.