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

Israel cover image

Israel

May 9, 2026

Tel Aviv 2:38 am

18°C

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

Why is Hamas test-firing missiles?

Hamas has recently intensified its test-firing of missiles in what experts say conveys a message to Israel whereby the movement is ready for war.

Israel’s Likud campaigns to attract Russian-speaking voters

The Likud party launched a campaign designed to attract Israeli-Russian voters and "steal" them from the Israeli-Russian party, Yisrael Beitenu.

New Israeli pipeline makes its way to Gaza

An Israeli water company has started working on extending a water pipeline from Israel to Gaza with Qatari funding.

Why is the Jordan Valley so important to Israel?

Palestinians in the Jordan Valley face daily incursions and land grabs by the Israeli army and settlers, actions that aim to reinforce Israel's policy of maintaining control over the valley at any cost.

Israel bans Palestinian dairy, meat exports to East Jerusalem

Israel has decided to ban Palestinian dairy and meat exports to East Jerusalem, which if the decision actually enters into force would result in the Palestinian government banning a number of Israeli firms from exporting their goods to the Palestinian territories.

A protester stands opposite to a policeman during a protest for the death of 18-year old Solomon Tekah of Ethiopian descent, after he was shot by police, in Tel Aviv, Israel July 2, 2019. REUTERS/ Corinna Kern - RC132641D330

Israelis lose trust in police over killing of youngster

The killing of young Solomon Tekah opened a Pandora’s box, disclosing dozens of horrible stories of racism, beatings and false arrests directed at the Ethiopian community.

Israel’s chief of staff revealing his political preferences

The decision by IDF Chief of Staff Aviv Kochavi to promote Brig. Gen. Ofer Winter reflects his future political aspirations.

Can Israel’s religious right rid itself of racists?

United Right head Rafi Peretz tries wriggling himself out of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s grasp and undoing the merger established before the April elections with the far-right Jewish Power Party.

Will Liberman crown Israel’s next prime minister?

Going by the latest poll results, Yisrael Beitenu head Avigdor Liberman will be the deciding factor in the Sept. 17 elections and will determine the identity of Israel’s next leader.

Settlement agreement ends Egypt's long-simmering gas dispute with Israel

Egypt and Israel reached a settlement deal ending a long-standing dispute over Egypt’s decision to cancel gas exports to Israel.

Mossad chief exposes vision of peace, calls to act

The recent statement by Mossad chief Yossi Cohen, warning of missed opportunities for peace, indicates his belief that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu must act now and reach out to the Palestinians.

REFILE - CORRECTING GRAMMAR A destroyed and burnt tank, that belongs to the eastern forces led by Khalifa Haftar, is seen in Gharyan south of Tripoli Libya June 27, 2019. REUTERS/Ismail Zitouny - RC1D103F7D50

Libya has outsized importance for Turkey's Mediterranean plans

Turkey's hostility to Libyan forces led by Khalifa Hifter is part of an ongoing strategic power struggle in the region.

United Arab Emirates