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Israel

May 20, 2026

Tel Aviv 12:34 pm

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NICOSIA, CYPRUS - APRIL 24: Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa arrives for an informal meeting of European Union leaders on April 24, 2026 in Nicosia, Cyprus. The EU heads of state and government are meeting over two days to discuss the conflict in Iran and the Middle East, including freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, the effects of high fuel prices, and how Europe may contribute to de-escalation and a peace agreement. (Photo by Byron Smith/Getty Images)

Syria's Sharaa renews ban on Israeli imports in customs law: What to know

The renewal comes even as Damascus pursues US-backed security talks with Israel aimed at reducing tensions along the border.

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.

Somaliland's first ambassador to Israel announces embassy in Jerusalem: What to know

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

A bride and group couple rides in a military jeep arriving for a public mass wedding ceremony at Imam Hossein Square in Tehran on May 18, 2026. Iran said on May 18 that it had responded to a new US proposal aimed at ending the war, adding that diplomatic exchanges continue despite Iranian media reports describing Washington's demands as excessive. Washington and Tehran have been swapping proposals in an effort to end the conflict which the US and Israel launched on February 28, but they have held only a sin

Analysis

Israel pushes for full Iran blockade as it awaits Trump's next move

Israel’s preferred strategy, sources told Al-Monitor, calls for a comprehensive naval, economic, land and air blockade of Iran, alongside tighter sanctions and covert activity aimed at destabilizing the regime.

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

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.

Latest News

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

talks

Analysis

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

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.

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

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

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

U.S. President Barack Obama meets with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Oval office of the White House in Washington November 9, 2015. The two leaders meet here today for the first time since the Israeli leader lost his battle against the Iran nuclear deal, with Washington seeking his re-commitment to a two-state solution with the Palestinians. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque - RTS66KY

Can Israel reboot its relations with US?

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's insistence of objecting to the Iran deal risks tainting his relations with the next US president, as it has affected more than the political echelon.

A Turkish flag flutters atop the Turkish embassy as an Israeli flag is seen nearby, in Tel Aviv, Israel June 26, 2016. REUTERS/Baz Ratner/File Photo - RTX2LGJ5

How both Israel and Turkey exploit Gaza's suffering

With the reconciliation agreement now signed between Israel and Turkey, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has practically forgotten his demands to lift the Israeli blockade on the Gaza Strip.

Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) welcomes Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia June 7, 2016. REUTERS/Maxim Shipenkov/Pool - RTSGEFC

What are Netanyahu and Putin plotting?

A rumored Israeli-Palestinian summit in Moscow may be a maneuver by Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu to try to thwart a new US initiative.

Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman speaks to the press prior to the weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem on December 28, 2014. AFP PHOTO/POOL/GALI TIBBON (Photo credit should read GALI TIBBON/AFP/Getty Images)

Is the Israeli Defense Ministry's new Arabic website a waste?

Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman decided to spend 10 million shekels ($2.6 million) on a new website in Arabic that is supposed to spread messages to the Palestinians and the Arab world.

Israeli Minister of Trade, Industry and Labor, Benjamin Ben-Eliezer gestures as he delivers a speech during The Israel Manufacturers Association General Meeting" in Tel Aviv on January 13, 2011. AFP PHOTO/JACK GUEZ (Photo credit should read JACK GUEZ/AFP/Getty Images)

Ethnic demons revived at eulogy for late Israeli defense minister

Ugly comments about late Defense Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer reflect some Labor Party members' long-held attitude toward leaders of Mizrahi origin.

A Palestinian woman argues with Israeli army soldiers as she is searched at a checkpoint during clashes in the West Bank Al-Fawwar refugee camp, south of Hebron August 16, 2016. REUTERS/Mussa Qawasma TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RTX2L7Q9

Has Israeli defense minister changed IDF's West Bank strategy?

The Israel Defense Forces have been carrying out regular operations in the Dheisheh refugee camp and the villages of Hebron governorate, all inside West Bank's Area A and ostensibly under full Palestinian control.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends the weekly cabinet meeting at his office in Jerusalem, 17 July 2016. REUTERS/Abir Sultan/Pool - RTSICNN

Why Sabbath crisis didn't topple Netanyahu's government

The ultra-Orthodox party’s manufactured crisis over train repair work being conducted on the Sabbath came with a built-in expiration date.

Israelis carry flags during a march marking Jerusalem Day, the anniversary of Israel's capture of East Jerusalem during the 1967 Middle East war, just outside Damascus Gate of Jerusalem's Old City June 5, 2016. REUTERS/Ammar Awad - RTSG3ZM

Will Israel hold referendum over two-state solution?

With the Israeli occupation of the West Bank nearing its 50th year, Israel's peace camp is pushing the idea of a referendum over its future.

A Palestinian Hamas supporter takes a selfie during an anti-Israeli rally in Gaza city April 28, 2016. REUTERS/Suhaib Salem TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RTX2C34K

The morning after: What happens to Gaza if Hamas is toppled?

Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman is accused of hampering the delivery of humanitarian assistance to Gaza in an effort to overthrow Hamas' rule. What if he succeeds?

(From L) Director Ahmed Maher, actress Basma Hassan, actor Sherif Ramzy, actor Omar Sharif, actor Khaled Elnabawy pose during the photocall of "Al Mosafer" (The Traveller) at the Venice film festival on September 9, 2009. "Al Mosafer" is competing for the Golden Lion of the 66th Mostra Internationale d'Arte Cinematografica, the Venice film festival. AFP PHOTO / Damien Meyer (Photo credit should read DAMIEN MEYER/AFP/Getty Images)

Obstacles could impede Christ biopic's path into Egypt

Egyptian film director Ahmed Maher speaks to Al-Monitor on how he is moving ahead with his next film on Jesus Christ's infant years in Egypt.

Israel's Or Sasson (white) competes with Egypt's Islam Elshehaby during their men's +100kg judo contest match of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro on August 12, 2016. / AFP / Toshifumi KITAMURA (Photo credit should read TOSHIFUMI KITAMURA/AFP/Getty Images)

'Delegitimization war' heats up between Israel, Palestine

Both Israel and the Palestinians are preoccupied by delegitimization campaigns and negative propaganda instead of focusing on dialogue.

Arab Israeli police recruits detain their colleague during a simulation as part of a training exercise at Israeli police academy center in Beit Shemesh, Israel August 24, 2016. Picture taken August 24, 2016. REUTERS/Ammar Awad - RTX2N06B

Is Israel at fault for surging Arab crime?

Israeli security forces invest time and effort to track weapon factories in the West Bank but neglect to deal in depth with illegal weapons of Israeli Arabs.