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Israel

April 20, 2026

Tel Aviv 2:34 am

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Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a joint press conference with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi in Jerusalem on February 26, 2026. (Photo by GIL COHEN-MAGEN / POOL / AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Why Netanyahu caved to Trump on Lebanon and what it means for Israel

Israelis express anger that the prime minister's maneuvering to stay out of jail has allowed the US to once again "hijack" foreign policy and national security decision-making.

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

Trump announces Lebanon-Israel ceasefire, will invite Aoun and Netanyahu to White House

The announcement follows landmark talks between Israel and Lebanon in Washington on Tuesday.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun (C) arrives to attend a cabinet session to discuss an army plan to disarm the Shiite Muslim group Hezbollah, at the Presidential Palace in Baabda, on September 5, 2025. In August, under heavy US pressure and fearing Israel would intensify its strikes, Lebanon's government ordered the army to draw up a plan for disarming Hezbollah by the end of the year. (Photo by ANWAR AMRO / AFP) (Photo by ANWAR AMRO/AFP via Getty Images)

Trump, Rubio speak to Lebanon's president amid push for Aoun-Netanyahu call

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun received a phone call from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Thursday amid reports that Aoun is to speak with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Oliver Contreras / AFP via Getty Images

First round of Lebanon-Israel talks concludes in Washington: What to know

Secretary of State Marco Rubio called the meeting a “historic opportunity” to end Hezbollah’s influence in Lebanon.

Latest News

Analysis

As Lebanon-Israel talks begin, can Rubio press Netanyahu into ceasefire?

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks to the press as he departs Tel Aviv for Qatar following an official visit, at Ben Gurion International Airport, near Lod, Israel, September 16, 2025. Israel heavily bombarded Gaza City on September 16 2025, witnesses told AFP, after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio backed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's new offensive there and its stated goal of eradicating Hamas. (Photo by NATHAN HOWARD / POOL / AFP) (Photo by NATHAN HOWARD/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

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

Meloni suspends Italy's military cooperation agreement with Israel

Meloni

Uncertainty shrouds Lebanon-Israel talks as Israeli bombardment continues

This photograph taken from the southern Lebanese area of Tyre shows smoke as it rises from the site of an Israeli airstrike that targeted the village of Qlaileh on April 13, 2026.

With Orban’s defeat in Hungary, Israel loses European shield

Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban (L) and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu review a military honor guard on April 3, 2025 in Budapest, Hungary. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived in Hungary in defiance of the International Criminal Court (ICC)'s arrest warrant against him over alleged war crimes in Gaza. Hungary has long-standing ties with Israel, and they been further bolstered up since the start of the war in Gaza, sparked by the Palestinian militant group Hamas's attack on Oct

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

HAZEM BADER/AFP via Getty Images

Day 83 of Hamas-Israel war blog: Thursday, Dec. 28

University students protesting.

2023 in review: Israel-Hamas war puts human rights in focus as pattern of double standards persists

A growing number of countries — many of them repressive in their own right — demand to know why Israel’s abuses are permissible.

Turkey's Erdogan compares Netanyahu to Hitler, drawing Israel's rebuke

The Turkish president’s inflammatory comments drawing a parallel between Hitler to Netanyahu once again have ramped up tensions between Turkey and Israel.

Smoke billows over the northern Gaza Strip during Israeli bombardment from southern Israel on December 27, 2023 amid continuing battles between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas.

Day 82 of Hamas-Israel war blog: Wednesday, Dec. 27

AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

How killing of Iran’s IRGC commander in Syria could ignite Israel-Lebanon war

With Hezbollah increasing its missile and drone attacks against Israel’s northern communities, war on the Lebanon border could erupt at any minute.

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

Day 81 of Hamas-Israel war blog: Tuesday, Dec. 26

collage 2023

2023 in review: Al-Monitor's special coverage from across Middle East

Day 80 of Hamas-Israel war blog: Monday, Dec. 25

A woman walks by a wall with photos of hostages taken to the Gaza Strip during the deadly Oct 7 Hamas attack on Dec. 20, 2023, in Tel Aviv, Israel.

Analysis

2023 in review: The year that shook Israel to the core, exposed vulnerabilities

With the judicial overhaul pushed by the government and then the Oct. 7 attack that shook the country to its core, Israelis no longer trust their leaders.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

A picture taken from southern Israel near the border with the Gaza Strip on Dec. 10, 2023, shows smoke rising above the northern part of the Palestinian enclave amid ongoing battles between Israel and the Palestinian Hamas movement.

Day 79 of Hamas-Israel war blog: Sunday, Dec. 24

Israeli singer Achinoam Nini, professionally known as Noa, is seen during a performance.

Israeli singer and peace activist Noa: 'There must be another way'

The singer Noa, one of Israel’s most prominent peace and democracy activists, wants Israelis to change the government and choose dialogue with the Palestinians.

Palestinian Issa Kassissieh, dressed as Santa Claus.

In shadow of Gaza, Christmas is canceled in Israel this year

Against the backdrop of the war in Gaza, Arab Israeli municipalities — including in Nazareth, Jerusalem and Haifa — canceled all grand Christmas celebrations.