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January 2, 2026

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At Mar-a-Lago, Netanyahu seeks Iran strike approval while Trump presses Gaza plan

US President Donald Trump is expected to push Israel to enter the second phase of his Gaza peace plan, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will focus on securing Trump’s approval for a potential strike on Iran’s ballistic missile program.

Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images

Analysis

Gaza realities test Trump’s 2025 Middle East ambitions

During its first year, the second Trump administration confronted wars in Gaza and Sudan, forged new ties with Syria and grappled with the growing nuclear threat from Iran.

Elizabeth Hagedorn

By Elizabeth Hagedorn

In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu participates in a joint news conference with US President Donald Trump (not seen) in the State Dining Room at the White House on Sept. 29, 2025, in Washington.

Analysis

In 2025, Netanyahu saved his coalition but stalled on Gaza, Iran, Lebanon

With 2025 ending, Israelis are frustrated over Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s refusal to fully end the Gaza war, solve the Hezbollah problem, reach a deal with Syria or find a way to constructively impact talks on the Iranian nuclear program.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

US President Donald Trump speaks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, in Jerusalem on Oct. 13, 2025.

Analysis

Trump has upper hand over Netanyahu, but is it enough for Gaza?

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been stalling on the implementation of the second phase of President Donald Trump’s Gaza plan, but at the end of the day, Trump has much more leverage over Netanyahu.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Latest News

Maersk resumes Red Sea passage after two-year halt amid easing Houthi threat

A ship sails along Egypt's Suez Canal near Ismailia, April 16, 2025.

Facing Israeli pushback, Turkey recalibrates public messaging on Gaza force

Saeed Jaras / Middle East Images / AFP via Getty Images

Beatrice Farhat

Associate Editor (Lebanon)

In Beirut, reporting on regional news, culture, conflict

Daoud Kuttab

Palestine Columnist

In Amman, reporting on Palestinian politics

Rasha Abou Jalal

In Gaza City, reporting on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict

Abeer Ayyoub

In Istanbul, reporting on Palestine

Naima Morelli

In Rome, reporting on Middle East culture

Fatima AbdulKarim

In Ramallah, reporting on the West Bank

Tlaib

US Congresswoman Tlaib holds event for Palestinian Nakba Day in Senate

The top Republican in the House tried to cancel the event to commemorate the Palestinian displacement of 1948, but Senator Bernie Sanders stepped in to help the outspoken congresswoman.

A plume of smoke rises above buildings during an Israeli strike on Khan Yunis, on May 10, 2023. Israel announced it was targeting rocket launch sites of the militant group Islamic Jihad. Gaza's health ministry said five people were killed, a day after Israeli strikes on the Palestinian territory left 15 dead. (Photo by SAID KHATIB / AFP) (Photo by SAID KHATIB/AFP via Getty Images)

Over 200 rockets hit Israel, 20 Palestinians killed in Gaza escalation

Over 200 rockets were fired at Israel from Gaza on Wednesday, and 20 people were killed in the Gaza Strip after Israeli airstrikes as Egypt tries to broker a ceasefire.

Palestinian protesters take cover amid clashes with Israeli security forces during a raid in the old city of Nablus, in the occupied West Bank, on May 9, 2023. - The Israeli army said it killed three leaders of the Islamic Jihad militant group on May 9 in air strikes on Gaza, which left a dozen dead according to the Palestinian territory's Hamas-controlled health ministry, adding that women and children were among the dead. (Photo by Jaafar ASHTIYEH / AFP) (Photo by JAAFAR ASHTIYEH/AFP via Getty Images)

Hamas, Islamic Jihad vow response to Israel's Gaza strikes as West Bank erupts

Three leaders of the Gaza-based Islamic Jihad were killed in the Israeli strike that came in response to rockets fired into Israel.

A picture taken on April 29, 2023, shows a Palestinian fish vendor at a market in Gaza City.

Anger at Hamas brews as taxes increase in Gaza

Amid growing poverty in the Gaza Strip, the Hamas government imposed in the past year a further series of taxes and custom fees.

LOUAI BESHARA/AFP via Getty Images

Iran's president meets Palestinian Hamas, Islamic Jihad leaders in Syria

The meeting between Raisi and Palestinian officials comes days after Palestinian militants fired dozens of rockets from the Gaza Strip toward southern Israel in response to the death of Islamic Jihad prisoner Khader Adnan.

A Palestinian man rides his bike past a mural depicting Khader Adnan, a Palestinian hunger striker and top figure in the Islamic Jihad group in the occupied West Bank, in Gaza City on May 2,2023. - Khader Adnan began a hunger strike on February 5, 23, died on May 2, 2023, the prison service said in a statement, adding that he was "affiliated with the Islamic Jihad". (Photo by MOHAMMED ABED / AFP) (Photo by MOHAMMED ABED/AFP via Getty Images)

Palestinian Khader Adnan dies in Israeli jail after 87-day hunger strike

Rockets were fired at Israel from the Gaza Strip after Palestinian Khader Adnan died on hunger strike in Israel's Nitzan prison.

KHALIL MAZRAAWI/afp/AFP via Getty Images

Israel arrests Jordanian MP accused of smuggling weapons to West Bank

Jordanian parliamentarian Imad al-Adwan was arrested by Israeli police at the Alenby Bridge crossing point on Saturday on suspicion of smuggling weapons and gold into the West Bank, Jordanian news outlets reported.

Palestine-Saudi football fans

Palestine’s Abbas meets Saudi crown prince as Hamas performs umrah

Saudi Arabia is seeking to build relations with the Palestinian Authority after recent engagement with Syria and Iran.

Israeli military vehicles drive during clashes between Palestinians and Israeli forces in the Palestinian refugee camp of Jenin in the occupied West Bank on April 9, 2022.

Shooting attack in Jerusalem as Israel conducts raid in West Bank

April has been a particularly deadly month in Israel and the Palestinian territories as tensions soar.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas arrived in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, a day ahead of his scheduled meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Palestinian President Abbas visits Saudi Arabia to ‘strengthen’ relations

Abbas’ visit follows reports in regional media that a Hamas delegation was going to visit the kingdom.

Palestinian youths celebrate following the news of an attack in a settler neighborhood in Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem, in the center of Nablus, West Bank, Jan. 27, 2023.

Execution of Palestinian 'collaborator' in West Bank shows falling trust in PA

The Lion's Den group in the West Bank has executed a young Palestinian for collaborating with Israel in a reminder of the extrajudicial violence of the intifadas.

AHMAD GHARABLI/AFP via Getty Images

Cyberattacks strike Israeli banks as Iran celebrates Quds Day

A group called "Anonymous Sudan" took responsibility for coordinated cyberattacks on Israeli banks and the Israel Post.