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

Israel cover image

Israel

May 9, 2026

Tel Aviv 11:03 pm

20°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

Blue and White ignored Israeli Arab vote at own peril

The Blue and White list shunned the Arab electorate, lost their vote and as a result will now have to sit in the opposition.

Israel’s Gantz must offer real alternative to Netanyahu

If he wants to become a real leader and create a real alternative to the next government formed by reelected Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Blue and White leader Benny Gantz must fight for the peace camp and tell Israelis' Arab neighbors they have a partner.

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

Netanyahu’s call to annex West Bank inspired by Trump support

Palestinian and international experts and politicians are convinced that the extraordinary statements made by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about annexing all settlements come from the realization that he has support from US President Donald Trump for his radical call.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara react as they stand on stage following the announcement of exit polls in Israel's parliamentary election at the party headquarters in Tel Aviv, Israel April 10, 2019. REUTERS/Ammar Awad - RC195587B720

Israeli right's election victory buys more time for Netanyahu

The right-wing achievement at the April 9 elections offers Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu more time to battle the expected indictment against him.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is greeted by supporters of his Likud party as he arrives to speak following the announcement of exit polls in Israel's parliamentary election at the party headquarters in Tel Aviv, Israel April 10, 2019. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun - RC142FAD5F40

Netanyahu’s ‘Annexation for Immunity’ formula

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hopes to get immunity in exchange for his willingness to annex West Bank settlements.

An ultra-Orthodox Jewish man walks past a Likud election campaign poster depicting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem April 7, 2019. REUTERS/Ammar Awad - RC1CC13589E0

Intel: How Netanyahu is in good shape to win reelection despite trailing his rival

Israel’s election battles fought on social networks, not at mass rallies

While Blue and White senior officials Benny Ganz and Yair Lapid have a solid presence on social networks, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s activities on this platform have only gotten more sophisticated.

A general view shows the village of Ein Qiniyye in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights March 26, 2019. REUTERS/Ammar Awad - RC1E3CB87260

Trump paves way for Israel to expand settlements in Golan

Shortly after US President Donald Trump decided to recognize Israeli sovereignty over the occupied Golan Heights, Israel announced a plan to build 30,000 new housing units for settlers in the area.

Hamas Chief Ismail Haniyeh gestures during a rally marking the 31st anniversary of Hamas' founding, in Gaza City December 16, 2018. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa - RC1262A82640

Palestinian Authority wary of Hamas intentions toward the US

The idea that Hamas could deal directly with Washington stirs the Palestinian Authority’s fear of being replaced by the movement.

Palestinians take part in a rally marking the 31st anniversary of Hamas' founding, in Gaza City December 16, 2018. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa - RC1AF0B233A0

Will Hamas be partner to Trump’s Mideast plan?

Some see recent Israeli moves involving Gaza as part of a chess match having to do with President Donald Trump's reported "deal of the century" peace plan.

Sephardic voters divided on eve of Israeli elections

Senior Sephardic ultra-Orthodox figures have announced their support for the Ashkenazi Yahadut HaTorah.

Peace and democracy losers in Israel’s 2019 elections

The major losers of the 2019 elections are clear before a single ballot is cast: peace with the Palestinians and the Arab world, public trust in the institutions of government, freedom from religion, and co-existence between Jews and Arabs.