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

Israel cover image

Israel

July 12, 2026

Tel Aviv 7:27 pm

28°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

A Lebanese army soldier gestures as they are deployed on their military vehicles on the streets of Sidon, southern Lebanon December 16, 2013. Gunmen attacked two army checkpoints outside the southern Lebanese city of Sidon on Sunday, killing a soldier and wounding three others, the army said. Four attackers were also killed in the clashes around the Mediterranean city, which was the scene of heavy fighting six months ago between the army and supporters of a Sunni Muslim cleric who backs rebels in neighbouri

Sidon attacks linked to terror cells

The Lebanese army is responding to attacks along the crowded highway.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrives to the weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem December 15, 2013. REUTER/ Baz Ratner (JERUSALEM - Tags: POLITICS) - RTX16JPQ

Netanyahu faces next decision of his life

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may be Israel’s weakest politician but its strongest leader.

People leave their car during a snowstorm after it was stuck in heavy snowfall in Jerusalem December 13, 2013. A snowstorm of rare intensity blanketed the Jerusalem area and parts of the occupied West Bank on Friday, choking off the city and stranding hundreds in vehicles on impassable roads. REUTERS/Baz Ratner (JERUSALEM - Tags: ENVIRONMENT) - RTX16GQ1

Israel’s Ministry of Home Front Defense flop during storm

Israel's Ministry of Home Front Defense was established out of political considerations and proved its inefficiency during the latest big storm, freezing instead of responding to the citizens’ needs.

Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) executive committe member Hanan Ashrawi gestures during a press conference in which she spoke about the Palestinian bid to become a non-member state in the United Nations, on September 28, 2012 in the West Bank city of Ramallah. AFP PHOTO/ABBAS MOMANI (Photo credit should read ABBAS MOMANI/AFP/GettyImages)

Hanan Ashrawi crusades against Jerusalem's Jewish history

The militant vocabulary of Palestinian official Hanan Ashrawi does not serve the Palestinian cause, damaging efforts to build trust and placing obstacles in the way of the negotiating teams.

AMMAN, JORDAN - MARCH 26: A general view over the Red Sea looking towards Jericho Israel on March 26, 2013 outside Amman, Jordan. (Photo by Adam Pretty/Getty Images)

Israel-Jordan water agreement not worth the hype

An agreement to pump water from the Red Sea to the Dead Sea fails to address Israel's unilateral appropriation of Jordan River waters.

A Palestinian watches a rally marking the 46th anniversary of the founding of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), in Gaza City December 7, 2013. REUTERS/Suhaib Salem (GAZA - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST ANNIVERSARY) - RTX1681X

PFLP seeks return to prominence in Palestinian affairs

In an unprecedented move in Palestinian politics, the PFLP's leadership has resigned to pave the way for younger activists to rejuvenate the party.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry (L) talks to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from a room overlooking the snow covered city of Jerusalem, during a meeting December 13, 2013. REUTERS/Brian Snyder (JERUSALEM - Tags: POLITICS) - RTX16GGI

Netanyahu, Kerry put security first in peace talks with Palestinians

Did the Israeli prime minister promise the US president that he would go for a peace deal with Palestinians under certain conditions?

מתכוני קיץ פולני שף שמיל הולנד והדיי עפאים צילום דן פרץ

Polish cuisine wins Israeli hearts and stomachs

Polish Culinary Week offered a tasty step toward restoring Israeli cultural relations with Poland, which for many Israelis is a source of both nostalgia and pain.

(FILES) Roger Waters, British rock legend and co founder of the group Pink Floyd, paints a graffiti at Israel’s separation barrier surrounding the West Bank town of Bethlehem the day before his concert near Tel Aviv, 21 June 2006. The United Nations on August 19, 2009 premiered a film narrated by former Pink Floyd frontman Roger Waters on the plight of Palestinians living in the shadow of Israel's controversial separation barrier. The 15-minute film entitled "Walled Horizons" was made in honour of the fifth

The dark side of Pink Floyd's Roger Waters

Comparing Israel to Nazi Germany is abhorrent, even for an aging rock star.

Hezbollah contemplates next move

Israel’s president extends a hand to Iran, putting the ball in Hezbollah and Tehran's court.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas prays during a meeting of the Fatah Revolutionary Council in the West Bank city of Ramallah September 1, 2013. REUTERS/Mohamad Torokman (WEST BANK - Tags: POLITICS) - RTX133QU

At Mandela funeral, Abbas says he opposes boycott of Israel

Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas' public criticism of the international movement of boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) of Israel reveals an absence of any clear strategy within his government.

The handcuffs of inmates are seen during a play at a public theatre in Lima, June 20, 2012. About 20 young inmates of Ancon prison put on stage their own theatrical script, based on their testimonies in jail, outside prison after four months of rehearsal. The event, organized by prison authorities, aims to help them reintegrate into society when they get released in future. REUTERS/Enrique Castro-Mendivil (PERU - Tags: SOCIETY CRIME LAW) - RTR33Y1I

Israeli criminals make their way to Morocco

Lacking an extradition treaty with Israel, Morocco has become an unlikely sanctuary for Israeli mobsters looking to make money or avoid police investigations.