Qatari FM meets Araghchi, Pezeshkian in Iran amid Gaza cease-fire talks The visit is the Qatari premier’s first to Iran since 2022, and it coincides with renewed efforts to reach a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. Iran
Hezbollah's Nasrallah says group reserves 'right to respond' in future after cross-border fire with Israel Hezbollah struck Israel in retaliation for last's month death of senior military official Fuad Shukr as a new round of cease-fire talks is set to begin in Cairo. Lebanon
Analysis Israel’s prolonged Gaza war offers China strategic opportunity in Mideast Israel’s continuous military operations in Gaza have likely offered China unexpected help in its rivalry against the US. By Andrea Ghiselli In Shanghai, reporting on China in the Middle East
Analysis With Sinwar undecided, Israel wary of imminent Lebanon war with Hezbollah “We are within touching distance of an Israeli attack in Lebanon, which is intended to allow us to return the residents of the north to their homes,” a senior Israeli military source told Al-Monitor this week, even as Iran hesitates on next steps. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Analysis What Maersk's $250M logistics park means for Saudi Arabia By Jennifer Gnana In Dubai, reporting on Gulf energy policy and politics
Bennett government shakes off Netanyahu’s shadow on foreign policy The coalition government's foreign policy on Russia, Iran, the United States, Turkey and the Palestinians differs significantly from that of former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Israel
Assassination attempt on Islamic Jihad leader escalates tensions with Palestinian Authority Islamic Jihad leader in the West Bank Khader Adnan was subjected to an assassination attempt in Nablus, raising speculation about the possible role of the Palestinian Authority’s security forces. Palestine
Gaza’s largest library shakes off dust of war, reopens doors With tons of different new books, new life has been breathed into the Samir Mansour Library, one of the largest libraries and publishing houses in Gaza, after it was destroyed during the Israeli war last year. Palestine
As minister resigns, Israel’s government more fragile than ever The resignation of Minister Eli Avidar reflects the fragility of the Bennett-Lapid coalition, composed of a narrow majority of 61 Knesset members. Israel
Escalation in Sheikh Jarrah could spark new military confrontation Tension has returned to the flashpoint East Jerusalem neighborhood of Sheikh Jarrah, which portends a renewed military confrontation between Palestinian factions and Israel. Palestine
Arab-Israelis, ultra-Orthodox, Palestinians shape future of Israeli tech Starving for experienced workers, Israeli authorities and high-tech companies are investing in training young Palestinians and young people from the Israeli-Arab sector and the ultra-Orthodox community. Israel
Israeli legislator promotes new 'Peace Authority' Emilie Moatti, head of the Knesset's subcommittee on foreign affairs, is busily planning meetings on advancing cooperation between Israelis and Palestinians. Israel
Death of elderly Palestinian calls attention to notorious IDF unit Israelis are shaken and embarrassed by an incident last month in which IDF soldiers arrested an almost 80-year-old man in the middle of the night and left him outside in the cold, where he died. Israel
Israel considers improved ties with Turkey, Central Asia Taking relations with Ankara one step at a time, Jerusalem could opt for a soft-diplomatic multi-national alliance with Turkey, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. Israel
Israeli minister keeps up campaign against growing settler violence Public Security Minister Omer Bar Lev's efforts are being challenges by other Cabinet ministers and Knesset members. Israel
Efforts fail to revoke Israel's observer status in African Union Attempts by Algeria and South Africa to present for a vote and to reject Israel's status as observer at the African Union organization failed, as the group decided to postpone for the year the leaders' debate on the issue. Israel
Israeli attorney general regularizes West Bank outpost, infuriates left Foreign Minister Yair Lapid sent Prime Minister Naftali Bennett an angry letter, protesting against the clandestine regularization of the illegal Evyatar West Bank outpost. Israel