Analysis Europe’s West Bank trade ban fires warning shot at Israel’s economy Weeks before key Israeli elections, a dozen nations announced new trade restrictions targeting settlements in the West Bank, delivering a sharp rebuke to Israel's government that could presage additional international pressure. By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Netanyahu threatens to sue Haaretz for reporting UAE warned Israel of Oct. 7 attack The Emirati president reportedly warned that a planned attack could cause bloodshed, destabilize the region and threaten the Abraham Accords. Israel
Majority of Palestinians lose trust in Hamas and Fatah, new poll finds A recent poll by a Palestinian survey center found that trust in Palestinian factions has declined, amid stalled efforts to implement the Gaza peace plan and escalating settler violence in the West Bank. Palestine
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. Israel
Analysis LORA missile test reveals limits of Germany’s Gaza criticism of Israel By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Analysis As Israeli settler attacks mount, Trump avoids public pressure on Netanyahu By Elizabeth Hagedorn In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights
Analysis Why Palestinians see success of Trump talks as contingent on Israeli elections By Mohammed Najib
Kuwait asks Saudi Arabia to release Palestinian detainees Kuwait is negotiating to secure the release of dozens of Hamas members who have spent months in Saudi Arabian prisons with no explanation provided. Saudi Arabia
Interview Oman minister describes role as 'facilitator' of diplomacy in turbulent region In an exclusive interview with Al-Monitor, Yusuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah, Oman’s minister responsible for foreign affairs, describes his country's role as facilitator, not mediator, to resolve the region's conflicts, including Iran, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Yemen, and the embargo of Qatar. Yusuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah Minister of Foreign Affairs of Oman
Has Netanyahu’s succession war already started? Senior Likud members are terrified of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and won’t launch a succession war, but there are incidents that indicate some of them are testing the waters. Palestine
Israel, Hamas work quietly together on development projects for Gaza Though they pretend not to be communicating, top Israeli and Hamas officials are working together via Egypt and other channels to advance development plans for the Gaza Strip. Palestine
Israeli annexation plans endanger ties with Jordan, Egypt Israel’s political right should pay attention to statements made Jordan's King Abdullah, who made it clear that he objects to all annexation plans advanced by the Netanyahu government. Palestine
Arab lawmaker says joining coalition would legitimize Israeli occupation The leading elected Palestinian leader in Israel tells Al-Monitor that while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s vicious racism led Arab voters to the polls, the Arab coalition still cannot join a ruling coalition. Palestine
Will new initiative spark interest in ending the Hamas-Fatah schism? Eight Palestinian factions in Gaza have put forward an initiative to end the Palestinian divide ongoing since 2007. Palestine
Do the Hamas-Israeli understandings have a future? The results of the Israeli elections have raised concerns within Hamas about the future of the understandings reached between the movement and Israel that have provided Gaza a lifeline and that are helping it remain in control. Qatar
Egyptian FM: Ethiopian dam development shouldn’t 'come at expense of lives of Egyptians' In an exclusive, in-depth interview with Al-Monitor, Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry says he sees no change in Qatari policies; great potential in regional integration; and says Egypt will play its "traditional role" to support "courageous decisions" to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Qatar
Are Netanyahu and Gantz really so different? Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Blue and White leader Benny Gantz appear to hold similar views on certain issues, but are miles apart in tone and expression. Palestine
Palestinian school to produce anti-corruption experts The Palestinian Anti-Corruption Academy plans to launch next year to train Palestinians with skills to curb corruption. Palestine
Israel gets new chance to reach arrangement with Palestinians If Blue and White leader Benny Gantz composes the new government and invites Yisrael Beitenu leader Avigdor Liberman to be part of it, then these two men must focus on reaching an arrangement with Hamas. Palestine
