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Israel

May 8, 2026

Tel Aviv 11:40 pm

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Traffic passes a billboard depicting Iranian ballistic missiles in service, with text in Arabic reading "the honest [person's] promise" and in Persian "Israel is weaker than a spider's web," Valiasr Square, Tehran, April 15, 2024. ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images.

Analysis

CIA report on Iran missiles undercuts Netanyahu as war euphoria dissipates

The findings cast doubt on Israel’s wartime gains and put pressure on Netanyahu’s campaign strategy ahead of elections.

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

People gather at the site of an Israeli airstrike that targeted Beirut's southern suburbs neighborhood of Haret Hreik on May 6, 2026.

Israel strikes Beirut in breach of Lebanon ceasefire

Israel has continued to carry out strikes in southern Lebanon but had not targeted Beirut since the ceasefire took effect.

Amirhossein KHORGOOEI / ISNA / AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

Israel fears Trump seeking Hormuz win while sidestepping Iran nuclear issue

While President Donald Trump keeps pressuring Iran on reopening the Strait of Hormuz, Israel fears the American leader will decide to cut his losses and sideline the nuclear threat.

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

Latest News

Culture

Lebanon's churches, mosques and archaeological sites damaged in Israeli strikes

A man sits watching as Lebanese first responders search for human remains among the rubble the day after a house was targeted in an Israeli airstrike in the southern Lebanese city of Nabatieh, on May 1, 2026.

Analysis

Can Bennett, Lapid unite Israel’s opposition to unseat Netanyahu?

Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs Yair Lapid (L) speaks to outgoing Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, during a meeting at the Knesset (parliament), in Jerusalem on June 30, 2022. - Final approval of the parliament dissolution bill was initially expected by midnight but was postponed to June 30 as coalition and opposition lawmakers sparred over last-minute legislative details, several sources familiar with the parliamentary said. (Photo by Menahem KAHANA / AFP) (Photo by MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP via Getty Images)

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Analysis

Iron Dome in Gulf: How Iran war turned UAE-Israel defense ties operational

AFP via Getty Images

Francesco Schiavi

By Francesco Schiavi

In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance

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

Israeli minister of Justice Ayelet Shaked (R) arrives ahead of the weekly cabinet meeting at the Prime Minister's office in Jerusalem September 12, 2018. Thomas Coex/Pool via Reuters - RC1589D288D0

Newly elected New Right party leader aspires for more

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would like the situation to remain as is — with two separate political groupings to the right of the Likud targeting the religious-right constituency — rather than see them come together in a unified, strong religious-right platform.

TEHRAN, IRAN - JULY 22: (----EDITORIAL USE ONLY MANDATORY CREDIT - "IRANIAN SUPREME LEADER PRESS OFFICE / HANDOUT" - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS----) Supreme Leader of Iran, Ali Khamenei (2nd R) meets Saleh al-Arouri (3rd R), deputy leader of Hamas, in Tehran, Iran on July 22, 2019. (Photo by IRANIAN SUPREME LEADER PRESS OFFICE / HANDOUT/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

Hamas' rapprochement with Iran endangers deal with Israel

The high-level Hamas visit to Tehran does not bode well for the movement's arrangement with Israel.

Work in Israeli settlements means high risks, no safety net for Palestinian laborers

Most of the 36,000 Palestinians who work in Israeli settlements across the West Bank lack basic benefits including personal protection equipment and have little to no recourse when the worst happens.

A supporter of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party waves flags, one bearing the name of U.S. President Donald Trump, as the crowd reacts to exit polls in Israel's parliamentary election at the party headquarters in Tel Aviv, Israel April 10, 2019. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun - RC12929E4A50

Israelis are Trump's biggest fans

President Donald Trump faces growing criticism in the United States over his anti-immigrant approach, but in Israel he is considered a hero.

Why Trump’s embrace of Israel endangers it

Three "American" chores await Israel’s next prime minister: explaining to President Donald Trump the importance of the two-state solution, regaining the trust of the Democrats and repairing ties with US Jewry.

U.S. Representative Michael McCaul (R-TX) is escorted by Madeleine Westerhout (R) as he arrives at Trump Tower to meet with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump in New York, U.S., November 29, 2016. REUTERS/Mike Segar - RC1E37EFDFD0

Republicans sour on two-state solution

Republican opposition to a resolution endorsing a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict reflects the party’s drift away from a previously bipartisan pillar of US foreign policy.

Prime Minister-elect Ehud Barak waves to the crowd as he arrives to his election victory rally May 23. Barak won a landslide victory over encumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in last week's general election and now begins forming a government which he has said should be broad-based and include all aspects of Israeli society.

JWH/JDP - RP1DRIIGCVAB

Netanyahu, Barak locked in dirtiest fight yet

The upcoming Israeli elections are already reminiscent of 1999, when Ehud Barak and Benjamin Netanyahu first exchanged vitriolic rhetoric and outrageous accusations.

Netanyahu’s catch-22 over anti-BDS campaign

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will soon have to decide whether to use the anti-BDS law he supported to prevent the entry into Israel of US Democratic congressional members Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib.

Palestinian Authority looks to cryptocurrency to scrap shekel

Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh believes the Palestinian economy's future lies in encrypted digital currency, though there are plenty of pitfalls.

Would Israel’s left succeed in uniting ahead of elections?

The left-wing Meretz and Labor parties know that running on one ticket could garner more votes, but have failed so far to reach an agreement.

Israel and Hamas agree: Gaza to soon get new hospital

Israel and Hamas are on the same page for a change, with the two agreeing on the erection of a field hospital near the Erez crossing to enable international medical teams to help address some of the health care problems plaguing Gaza residents.

What is behind Likud mayors’ secular moves?

Are the secular initiatives — operating buses on the Sabbath — by the mayors of Ramat Gan and Modi'in, both from the Likud, meant to neutralize Avigdor Liberman’s claim that the Likud is bowing to the ultra-Orthodox?