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

Israel cover image

Israel

May 19, 2026

Tel Aviv 3:31 am

21°C

Men gather around the husk of a destroyed pickup truck that was driven by a local shepherd who was reportedly struck by Israeli forces and buried by locals at a grave nearby, in the Najaf desert in southwestern Iraq, on May 12, 2026.

What we know about secret Israeli bases in Iraq

Iraqi authorities have said there are no longer any hostile forces operating in its territory.

Somaliland’s first ambassador to a foreign country formally, Mohamed Hagi, presented his diplomatic credentials in Jerusalem to Israeli President Isaac Herzog, on May 18, 2026.

Israel accredits Somaliland's first ambassador: What to know

Israel was the first country to recognize the breakaway region on the Horn of Africa last year.

talks

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

Latest News

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

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

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

How Israel's populist politicians campaigned for Hebron shooter

The family of Sgt. Elor Azaria was hoping that a populist right-wing campaign in support of their son would save him from conviction over the fatal shooting of a wounded Palestinian assailant.

Are ultra-Orthodox taking over this secular Israeli city?

Residents of the southern city of Arad are worried about the Gur ultra-Orthodox sect members who are constantly buying apartments there.

Israeli youths stand atop a water tank and attach banners in Hebrew reading "Amona will not fall for the second time" and "The government will not survive the eviction of Amona", in the Jewish settler outpost of Amona in the West Bank December 15, 2016. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun - RTX2V5JX

Amona settlement first test of UN resolution

The Israeli government's plan to relocate the evicted Amona settlers to land owned by Palestinian "absentee landlords" directly defies UN Security Council Resolution 2334.

Palestinians: Kerry speech too little, too late

Palestinians welcomed US Secretary of State John Kerry’s strong position on settlements, but do not believe it will positively influence the incoming US administration.

New marine force in Gaza has Israel on guard

Hamas' Interior Ministry in the Gaza Strip has announced the formation of new marine force tasked with protecting Gaza’s shores from smuggling operations, but Israel views the new military branch as part of the resistance.

Is Hamas producing weapons in the West Bank?

Israel is concerned by discoveries of large weapons workshops and militant cells over the past year in the West Bank.

Will Israel really halt civil coordination with Palestinian Authority?

In response to UN Resolution 2334, Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman issued a decision to halt civil and political coordination with the Palestinian Authority, which the Palestinians perceived as mere media hype.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrives to attend a Likud party meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament, in Jerusalem January 2, 2017. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun - RTX2X8FC

Who benefits from police probe against Netanyahu?

Likud seniors have not openly criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the criminal investigation against him, knowing full well that Likud members won’t accept a campaign against the incumbent premier.

Criticism of Istanbul terror victim exposes Arab-Israeli generation gap

The killing of young Palestinian Lian Zaher Nasser in the Istanbul terror attack has exposed a growing rift within Arab-Israeli society between young people seeking a modern way of life and those adhering to a strict religious moral code.

Israel divided over conviction of Hebron IDF shooter

The conviction of IDF soldier Elor Azaria for shooting to death a wounded Palestinian assailant sends the message to the radicalizing Israeli society that the IDF will not accept such behavior amid its ranks.

Bizarre Jerusalem family case shows peace, settlements incompatible

The bizarre case of the Sublaban family reflects how the Israeli settlement policy has spun out of control as a couple has been allowed to stay in its Jerusalem home for 10 years on condition that their children can’t stay with them.

Will 'earth shaking' revelation bring down Netanyahu?

The investigation of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could have tremendous ramifications for the Israeli political landscape.