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Israel

May 19, 2026

Tel Aviv 8:43 am

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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

Hezbollah, Israel both mum on recent escalation

Despite an escalation in Israeli attacks against Hezbollah in Syria, an all-out confrontation between them seems unlikely for the near future.

How Amona settlement set Israeli precedent

The Israeli government's response in the Amona settlement dispute shows that the settlers have won, setting a clear path for future settlement battles.

On banking in Israel, Jews and Muslims can agree

A new government plan opens saving accounts for every Israeli child that comport with Jewish and Muslim laws against usury.

Rift growing between Israeli Arabs and Israeli Arab party

With Knesset member Basel Ghattas accused of smuggling phones to prisoners, and with a prominent activist expressing support for the Assad regime, the rift between the Israeli Arab population and the Arab Joint List is growing deeper.

Israeli art student hounded by Israeli right

Instead of defending freedom of expression and art, Israeli politicians hounded the art student who depicted Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with a rope.

Why moving US Embassy to Jerusalem is no way to start a presidency

President-elect Donald Trump's proposal to relocate the US Embassy would place another straw on the proverbial camel's back in the Mideast.

Why Israeli settlers consider Trump’s ambassador choice a 'miracle'

For Israeli settlers, US President-elect Donald Trump’s choice of David Friedman as the next US ambassador to Israel is nothing short of a miracle.

Wary Saudis silent as Trump's Israel position takes shape

US President-elect Donald Trump's choice for ambassador to Israel is a sign that he still intends to move the US Embassy to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv, a major shakeup in American policy if the plan is followed through.

Christmas comes to Bethlehem

Following a busy tourist season this year, Bethlehem is preparing for the Christmas holiday that has bringing more foreign visitors this year in addition to Christian and Muslim Palestinians to the city.

How does Erdogan win with a losing hand?

Criminal court cases against Israel over the raid on the Mavi Marmara flotilla are being dismissed due to the agreement Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan signed, but Islamists lash out against the judge and prosecutor.

Ayelet Shaked, Israel's new Justice Minister of the far-right Jewish Home party, attends a ceremony at the Justice Ministry in Jerusalem May 17, 2015. REUTERS/Gali Tibbon/Pool/File Photo - RTX2RPZJ

Is Israeli High Court’s independence at risk?

Israeli Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked and her associates are trying to reduce the independence of the High Court and appoint justices who share their worldview.

A Palestinian woman walks past an image of Yasser Arafat in Shatila refugee camp near Beirut May 23, 2007. The Lebanese army is trying to crush Fatah al-Islam, a militant group led by a Palestinian but with little or no support among Lebanon's Palestinian refugee population of 400,000. Dozens of people have died in three days of fighting. REUTERS/Sharif Karim (LEBANON) - RTR1Q090

Lebanese Fatah delegates visit Palestine for first time

The visit for the first time by Lebanese Fatah delegates to attend the movement’s seventh congress has left them with a bittersweet impression of Palestine.