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. Lebanon
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. Turkey
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. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
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. Israel
Hochstein in Beirut, says 'significant progress' on Lebanon-Israel cease-fire as Hezbollah accepts proposal US envoy Amos Hochstein arrived in Beirut in a bid to secure a cease-fire deal between Israel and Hezbollah, as the Lebanese group reportedly approved a new proposal to halt the hostilities, with some comments. Lebanon
Huckabee, Trump's ambassador pick to Israel, says two-state solution not legitimate Trump tapped Mike Huckabee, an evangelical Christian and fervent Israel supporter, as his soon-to-be nominee for ambassador to the country. Israel
Shin Bet chief discusses Gaza truce in Turkey: What we know The Israeli official's travel to Turkey marks a dramatic development considering that Ankara has not played a part in these negotiations over the past year and Israel-Turkey relations have significantly deteriorated amid the Gaza war. Israel
US unveils new West Bank sanctions amid calls to target Israeli ministers The latest sanctions come after nearly 90 Democratic lawmakers urged the administration to penalize Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. United States
Turkey blocked Israeli President Herzog’s flight to COP29 in Azerbaijan, officials confirm Ankara denied for Herzog’s aircraft to fly over Turkish airspace to reach Baku. Turkey
Analysis With leverage in Syria, can Russia's Putin broker Israel-Lebanon deal? Israel is considering accepting the Russian push for some sort of involvement in the talks or in the implementation of a deal with Hezbollah. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Analysis Israel euphoric over Trump's cabinet: Will he pick annexation or Saudi deal? "Everything is ready," a senior source in Israel's settlement enterprise told Al-Monitor. "We just have to get Trump's approval and carry it out." By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Gaza hostage families look to Trump as hope fades for deal As President Joe Biden's time in office wanes, the families of the American hostages are looking to his replacement to strike a deal. Israel
Three years after fleeing, Afghanistan's last Jew arrives in Israel Having fled Afghanistan after the Taliban takeover in 2021, heading to Istanbul via Pakistan, Afghanistan's last Jew has now arrived in Israel. Israel
Iran arrests 7, kills 4 over alleged Israel links in southeast According to a spokesperson, an elite military unit killed four “terrorists affiliated with the Zionist regime” and arrested seven others in the province that is home to a separatist group. Iran
CIA official arrested for top-secret leak on Israel plans to attack Iran: What we know Asif W. Rahman was charged in a federal court in Virginia last week with two counts of willful retention and transmission of national defense information. Israel
Trump picks Mike Huckabee, staunch ally of settlers, as ambassador to Israel “There’s really no such thing as a Palestinian,” Mike Huckabee said in 2008, and he has insisted over the years on referring to the occupied West Bank as Judea and Samaria. Israel