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April 9, 2026

Tel Aviv 11:21 pm

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Israeli military vehicles drive along a road in southern Lebanon, near the Israeli border on April 8, 2026. Israel's Defence Minister Israel Katz said the military had carried out a surprise attack on April 8 targeting hundreds of Hezbollah members across Lebanon. (Photo by Jalaa MAREY / AFP via Getty Images) /

Breaking | Last Updated: April 9, 2026, 4:05 pm

US to host Lebanon-Israel talks next week in first such meeting

A senior Lebanese official told Al-Monitor that the Trump administration relayed to Beirut on Wednesday its support for Lebanon to handle its negotiations with Israel, separate from talks taking place with Iran this weekend in Pakistan.

Yasin AKGUL / AFP via Getty Images

Turkey detains 11 over ISIS-linked attack on Israeli Consulate: What to know

The attack was likely designed to portray Turkey as protecting Israel by targeting the local police guarding the consulate, one observer notes.

TOPSHOT - Iranians react after a ceasefire announcement at the Enqelab square, in Tehran, on April 8 2026. The United States and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire Tuesday barely an hour before US President Donald Trump's deadline to obliterate the rival country was set to expire, with Tehran to temporarily reopen the vital Strait of Hormuz. (Photo by AFP via Getty Images) /

Analysis

Trump ceasefire leaves Netanyahu flustered as Iran gains politically

US President Trump’s decision on a ceasefire with the Tehran regime leaves Israel far away from its Iran war objectives.

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

A view of the damaged B1 bridge, a day after it was destroyed by an airstrike, on April 3, 2026, west of Tehran in Karaj, Iran.

Israel, seeking wider war, hits Iranian railways, bridges as Trump deadline nears

Since the Trump administration announced its deadline, Israel has prepared for a potential US escalation, including airstrikes on civilian infrastructure or ground operations.

Latest News

Four Israeli soldiers arrested on suspicion of spying for Iran: What to know

Israeli soldiers patrol a street in Hebron's Old City in the occupied West Bank on January 23, 2026, deployed as settlers entered the area under army protection. (Photo by Mosab Shawer / Middle East Images / AFP via Getty Images)

One gunman killed during attack near Israel’s consulate in Istanbul

Police officials stand among traffic as they patrol near the Israeli Consulate following a shootout between gunmen and police, Istanbul, Turkey, April 7, 2026.

Iran's IRGC intel chief killed as Israel expands targeted strikes: What to know

Seyed Majid Khademi

How Athens became haven for Israeli investment

A picture taken on May 5, 2020 shows the Acropolis overlooking the Koukaki district of Athens, during a lockdown aimed at curbing the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the novel coronavirus. - At the foot of the Acropolis, the Koukaki district, usually popular with tourists from all over the world, has been a sad place since the pandemic, with its deserted terraces and pedestrian walkways and Airbnb accommodations emptied of their clientele. Directly hit, the dozens of small landlords who had chose

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

Rabbi Levi Duchman performs morning prayers on the roof of the Jewish Community Center of the UAE, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, March 22, 2021.

UAE’s Jewish community in shock as arrests made in Israeli rabbi’s killing

The Israeli-Jewish community in the United Arab Emirates is horrified after the killing of prominent Israeli-Moldovan Rabbi Zvi Kogan.

Republican presidential nominee, former US President Donald Trump arrives to speak during an election night event at the Palm Beach Convention Center on Nov. 6, 2024 in West Palm Beach, Florida.

Analysis

Does Israel warning foreshadow shift on Iraq policy under Trump?

“Israel will not hesitate to do whatever is necessary” to protect its people, Israel’s UN ambassador tells Al-Monitor.

Andrew Parasiliti

By Andrew Parasiliti

In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, national security

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 20: President Donald Trump (R) holds up a chart of military hardware sales as he meets with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the Oval Office at the White House on March 20, 2018 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch-Pool/Getty Images)

Analysis

Saudi Arabia to pursue two-track approach for Trump presidency

Riyadh is likely to compartmentalize business dealings with incoming President Donald Trump separately from its foreign policy engagements, where there is likely to be disagreement.

Jennifer Gnana

By Jennifer Gnana

In Dubai, reporting on Gulf energy policy and politics

US President Donald Trump with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu(R) at the White House, Washington, DC, Sept. 15, 2020.

Analysis

Could Trump intervene against ICC arrest warrants to help Netanyahu?

Associates of the Israeli prime minister had hoped that Trump's victory would derail International Criminal Court warrants.

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

US President Joe Biden shakes hands with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a meeting in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on July 25, 2024.

US isolation deepens with ICC’s Netanyahu arrest warrant

The White House was quick to condemn the arrest warrants for Netanyahu and his former defense minister, fueling accusations of a double standard.

OLIVER BUNIC/AFP via Getty Images

With exception of Arab Hadash, Israeli parties slam ICC's Netanyahu warrant

Apart from the Arab Hadash party, Israeli political leaders across the spectrum have condemned the International Criminal Court for issuing arrest warrants for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.

DEBBIE HILL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

ICC issues arrest warrants for Israel’s Netanyahu, Gallant and Hamas' Deif

Six months after International Criminal Court prosecutor Karim Khan submitted his request to prosecute them, the world court has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.

Smoke rises from the site of an Israeli airstrike that targeted the southern Lebanese border village of Khiam on Nov. 20, 2024, amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hezbollah.

Analysis

Israel seeking US security guarantees to clinch Lebanon deal: What we know

As cease-fire talks advance with Lebanon, Israel might agree to a letter from the US that would guarantee its ability to retaliate to violations by Hezbollah to 1701 framework.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images

US vetoes UN resolution demanding Gaza cease-fire

The United States was the single dissenting vote on a UN Security Council resolution that called for an immediate and unconditional cease-fire and the release of the Hamas-held hostages.

AFP via Getty Images

US envoy advances Israel-Lebanon cease-fire talks as Hezbollah says decision with Netanyahu

Hezbollah Secretary General Naim Qassem said the group agreed to negotiate with the United States and Israel on a cease-fire, but all depends on the Israeli position.

US Sen. Bernie Sanders, joined by fellow US Sens. Chris Van Hollen, Jeff Merkley and Peter Welch, listens to a question at a news conference on restricting arms sales to Israel at the US Capitol on Nov. 19, 2024, in Washington, DC.

Senate Democrats to challenge Biden’s arms sales to Israel

The Bernie Sanders-led rebuke comes a week after the Biden administration said it would not curb weapons transfers to Israel over lack of Gaza aid access, as originally threatened.

A photo taken from the southern Lebanese coastal city of Tyre shows smoke billowing following an Israeli airstrike which targeted the area of al-Hosh on the outskirts of Tyre, on November 19, 2024. (Photo by KAWNAT HAJU / AFP) (Photo by KAWNAT HAJU/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

As Netanyahu warms to Israel-Lebanon deal, US role comes into play

Sources are saying that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is willing to reach a deal with Hezbollah, while realizing that the "rise or fall" of any arrangement will hinge on the enforcement mechanism.

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