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Palestine

May 12, 2026

Ramallah 4:07 am

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Two men stand next to the burned remains of a Palestinian vehicle in the Wadi al-Rakhim area of Susya village in Masafer Yatta, south of Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, on May 1, 2026.

EU ministers agree to sanction violent West Bank settlers: What to know

European foreign ministers have agreed to sanction extremist West Bank settlers, but are still discussing the list of names.

An elections employee tapes a poster with instructions to voters ahead of the upcoming municipal elections in Deir al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip on April 21, 2026.

Feature

Gazans show cautious hope ahead of first local elections in 20 years

The city of Deir al-Balah in central Gaza is set to hold municipal elections for the first time in nearly two decades.

Rasha Abou Jalal

By Rasha Abou Jalal

In Gaza City, reporting on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict

Women read instructions to voters ahead of the upcoming municipal elections in Deir el-Balah in the central Gaza Strip on April 21, 2026.

Analysis

On eve of Palestinian local elections, competition in short supply

With many races unopposed and rivals excluded, the vote underscores a calibrated effort to contain dissent and prioritize stability.

Daoud Kuttab

By Daoud Kuttab

In Amman, reporting on Palestinian politics

Olmert

Interview

Olmert: Only Israel-Lebanon deal can curb Hezbollah, occupation 'unviable'

Former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert told Al-Monitor that Israel will only be able to defang Hezbollah if it reaches an agreement with the Lebanese government.

Ehud Olmert

Ehud Olmert

Former Israeli prime minister

Latest News

Meloni suspends Italy's military cooperation agreement with Israel

Meloni

'Apartheid': Arab countries including UAE, Jordan decry new Israeli law

MOJAHID NAW/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images

Settler violence spike exposes Israeli government rift with military

Israeli settler violence graffiti

Wartime closures at Jerusalem holy sites raise fears of lasting shift among Palestinians

Muslim worshippers break their fast outside the old city walls of Jerusalem on March 17, 2026, as the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound remains closed.

Beatrice Farhat

Associate Editor (Lebanon)

In Beirut, reporting on regional news, culture, conflict

Daoud Kuttab

Palestine Columnist

In Amman, reporting on Palestinian politics

Rasha Abou Jalal

In Gaza City, reporting on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict

Abeer Ayyoub

In Istanbul, reporting on Palestine

Naima Morelli

In Rome, reporting on Middle East culture

Fatima AbdulKarim

In Ramallah, reporting on the West Bank

Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud stands next to U.S. President Donald Trump during a reception ceremony in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, May 20, 2017. Bandar Algaloud/Courtesy of Saudi Royal Court/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS PICTURE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. - RTX36OPM

Riyadh, not Trump, holds key to Israel-Palestinian peace

A peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians could be born only out of direct negotiations between Israel and pragmatic Arab leaders, not out of a deal proposed by US President Donald Trump.

A picture shows a part of the new Palestinian city of Rawabi as seen through a sculpture, at the construction site of the new city just north of Ramallah in the West Bank, on April 22, 2015. Rawabi project, for 40.000 people apartments, is the first modern Palestinian city of its kind and described as the largest privately-funded development project in Palestinian history will can finally open its doors this May. AFP PHOTO / THOMAS COEX (Photo credit should read THOMAS COEX/AFP/Getty Images)

Modern architecture meets tradition in Palestine's first planned city

The Palestinian city of Rawabi, which combines modernity with Palestinian heritage, hopes to attract tourists from around the world.

Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud welcomes U.S. President Donald Trump during a reception ceremony in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, May 20, 2017. Bandar Algaloud/Courtesy of Saudi Royal Court/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS PICTURE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. - RTX36OPZ

Trump goes on Iran-bashing tour

Iran has replaced the Islamic State as Donald Trump’s boogeyman during his first trip abroad, to the delight of the Saudis and Israel.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas make a statement following their meeting at the Bocharov Ruchei state residence in Sochi, Russia, May 11, 2017. REUTERS/Yuri Kochetkov/Pool - RTS167R7

Is Moscow a likely matchmaker between Israelis, Palestinians?

Russia continues to step up its diplomatic game in the Middle East by reinforcing ties with Israelis and Palestinians and allowing its stances to evolve.

U.S. President Donald Trump (2nd L) and first lady Melania Trump (3rd L) stand with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (2nd R), his wife Sara (R) and Israel's President Reuven Rivlin (L) upon their arrival at Ben Gurion International Airport in Lod near Tel Aviv, Israel May 22, 2017. REUTERS/Amir Cohen - RTX36ZTW

Will Trump’s Middle East deal work?

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is all in favor of a regional alliance with pragmatic Sunni states, but he will do everything in his power to remove a deal with the Palestinians.

Will Abbas’ foes thwart his chances for success at Trump meeting?

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has strenuously lobbied President Donald Trump on behalf of the Palestinians, but his rival Marwan Barghouti and Hamas are trying to sabotage his efforts.

U.S. President Donald Trump gestures during his meeting with Israeli President Reuven Rivlin at Rivlinís residence in Jerusalem May 22, 2017. REUTERS/Atef Safadi/Pool - RTX37003

Trump's Palestinian pilgrimage brings hope, concern

US President Donald Trump will visit Bethlehem during his stay in Israel, where Palestinians expect him to finally lay out his vision on how to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Inside Palestine’s first camp for former female prisoners

The Women's Association for Development and Empowerment launched the first-of-its-kind camp in Jerusalem to help former female detainees cope with their new lives inside their communities after their release.

A Palestinian money exchanger displays money at a market in the West Bank city of Ramallah March 25, 2015. Israel's decision to withhold $130 million a month in revenue collected on behalf of the Palestinians is strangling the economy and leaving the banking system dangerously exposed, the Palestinian central bank governor said on Wednesday. REUTERS/Mohamad Torokman - RTR4UT7Y

Economic indices paint gloomy future for Palestine

The latest economic reports from the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics indicate a rise of prices, which may lead to inflation.

Gaza's new strawberry farmers make progress in their field

With the help of the Food and Agriculture Organization, the municipality of Um al-Nasser in the northern Gaza Strip launched a project to distribute lands to residents and train them to plant and export crops.

What’s so special about this park in the West Bank?

In a small village in the West Bank, the first-of-its-kind sustainable environmental park will open its doors to the local community.

A Palestinian man shows his ink-stained finger after casting his ballot at a polling station during municipal elections in the West Bank village of Yatta, near Hebron May 13, 2017. REUTERS/Ammar Awad - RTX35MU6

Why many Palestinians didn't take to the polls in local elections

As Hamas and other main factions boycotted the local elections held in the West Bank, Palestinians cast their votes in low numbers reflecting their mistrust in the political forces.