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May 18, 2026

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Lebanon-Israel ceasefire extended 45 days as US opens security talks

The Pentagon will host Israeli and Lebanese military delegations for a round of separate security talks later this month.

US President Donald Trump talks to UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan as he departs the Al Bateen Executive Airport on May 15, 2025, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Analysis

‘A reckless act’: Netanyahu sparks UAE fury by claiming secret visit

Just as UAE-Israeli relations were deepening through cooperation against Iran, the Israeli prime minister publicly embarrassed Abu Dhabi by revealing his March visit.

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

Israel's Netanyahu suing New York Times over column on Palestinian rape

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Gideon Saar rejected New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof's accusations of systematic sexual abuse and rape of Palestinian prisoners, calling the claims a "blood libel."

Latest News

Analysis

Israel’s drone dilemma: Hezbollah’s low-cost threat reshapes Lebanon front

Artillery units are positioned near the Lebanese border in northern Israel, May 4, 2026.

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

EU ministers agree to sanction violent West Bank settlers: What to know

Two men stand next to the burned remains of a Palestinian vehicle in the Wadi al-Rakhim area of Susya village in Masafer Yatta, south of Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, on May 1, 2026.

Netanyahu fears being left out as Trump pursues Iran diplomacy

Ronen Zvulun / AFP via Getty Images

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

Protesters wave flags bearing a portrait of prominent jailed Palestinian Marwan Barghouti during a rally in the West Bank city of Ramallah to show their support to Palestinians detained in Israeli jails after hundred of them launched a hunger strike on April 17, 2017.
More than 1,000 Palestinians in Israeli jails launched a hunger strike following a call from Barghouti, a Palestinian Authority official said. / AFP PHOTO / ABBAS MOMANI (Photo credit should read ABBAS MOMANI/AFP/Getty Images)

Israel demands PA stop paying off prisoners' families

Israel's prime minister has called for an end to payments to Palestinians held in Israeli prisoners and their families, but so far the Palestinian Authority has refused to comply.

Could Israel’s Bennett become next leader of the right?

HaBayit HaYehudi head Naftali Bennett has won his party’s leadership, but his victory doesn't open a direct path to that of the right-wing camp.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (C) acknowledges applause at the end of his speech to a joint meeting of Congress in the House Chamber on Capitol Hill in Washington, March 3, 2015. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst (UNITED STATES - Tags: POLITICS) - RTR4RX0Q

Anti-Palestinian caucus divides pro-Israel camp on Capitol Hill

A handful of conservative Republicans have launched a congressional group dedicated to forcing the Palestinians to admit their "defeat."

U.S. President Donald Trump gives a thumbs-up as he and White House Senior Advisor Jared Kushner depart the White House in Washington, U.S., March 15, 2017. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque - RTX3155P

Trump’s Mideast plan starts taking shape

US President Donald Trump’s Middle East team is exploring the possibility of a double-track initiative for Israeli-Palestinian and Middle East regional talks.

A Palestinian boy walks in a tunnel as he takes part in a military exercise graduation ceremony at a summer camp organised by Hamas's armed wing, east of Gaza City July 22, 2016. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem - RTSJ8Z8

Israel to launch major project to block Hamas tunnels

Israel has notified Hamas about the work it plans to start this summer to block the tunnels in the Gaza Strip, in the hope that Hamas will not use this move in order to reopen a military front.

German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel speaks during his meeting with Israeli President Reuven Rivlin in Jerusalem April 25, 2017. REUTERS/ Ronen Zvulun - RTS13UDU

How confronting Germany bolsters Netanyahu’s status

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has no limits in his battle for personal popularity; he attacks anti-occupation groups, foreign friendly leaders and even the State Comptroller.

How North Korea nuke crisis affects Israel

Israeli intelligence believes that North Korea, Syria and Iran are collaborating on the development of missile systems and nuclear programs.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends the weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem, April 23, 2017. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun - RTS13I6K

Did Netanyahu's ultimatum to German foreign minister pay off?

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel of provocation by meeting with anti-occupation organizations during a visit to Israel.

An Israeli soldier passes a demonstration by left-wing Israelis calling on army recruits to refuse to serve in the Palestinian territories, as they protest outside the Defense Ministry in Tel Aviv 18 March 2004. AFP PHOTO/Tal COHEN (Photo credit should read TAL COHEN/AFP/Getty Images)

Who in Israel decides who must enlist in the army?

Israel allows Orthodox men and women to avoid IDF drafting, but imprisons conscientious objectors who refuse to enlist in the occupation army.

Israeli President Reuven Rivlin lays a wreath during a ceremony marking the annual Holocaust Remembrance Day at the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial, in Jerusalem April 24, 2017. REUTERS/Amir Cohen - RTS13NJX

How Israel’s president is shifting his country’s worldview

Israeli President Reuven Rivlin objects to the worldview where all threats to Israel are considered through the prism of the Holocaust, as preached by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Abbas versus Barghouti, Round 2

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is furious at Fatah activists who called for a Day of Rage five days before he is scheduled to meet with US President Donald Trump.

A worshipper holds crosses inside the Church of Holy Sepulchre during a Good Friday procession in Jerusalem's Old City April 14, 2017. REUTERS/Amir Cohen - RTX35J9I

Congress-mandated panel accused of whitewashing Israeli discrimination against Christians

The US Commission on International Religious Freedom is under fire from one of its own.