Middle East Geopolitical Reporting for 2026-02-20
We've collected the top geopolitical conflict articles from the Middle East and brought them all here. If you're tired of only having access to MSM versions of the story, you've found the right place. We’ll include all of the outlets we know of.
UN rapporteur Albanese: Israel’s West Bank land grab 'will consolidate annexation'
The UN special rapporteur for the occupied Palestinian territories has warned that Israel’s decision to expand land expropriation in the occupied West Bank could consolidate annexation.
Presstv
Feb 20, 2026 - presstv.ir
Hundreds of Dutch nationals served in Israeli military amid Gaza genocide
Israel’s military has recruited hundreds of Dutch-Israeli dual nationals while Dutch law warns of crimes against humanity.
Presstv
Feb 20, 2026 - presstv.ir
Gaza death toll surpassed 75,000 in first 16 months of genocide: Survey
A Lancet survey finds the death toll of the Israeli genocide of Palestinians in Gaza exceeded 75,000 in 16 months.
Presstv
Feb 20, 2026 - presstv.ir
Iran tells UN chief it will respond 'decisively' if subjected to military aggression
US President Donald Trump's rhetoric towards Iran "signals a real risk of military aggression," Iran's permanent mission to the United Nations said in the letter, adding that Iran did not want a war.
JPost.com - The Jerusalem Post - All News from the Middle East, Israel, and the Jewish World
Feb 20, 2026 - jpost.com
Trump considers limited strike on Iran, most air power since 2003 arrives in Middle East - WSJ
A smaller attack on Iran would target a few military or government sites, designed to be small enough not to provoke major retaliation and force Iran to agree to a deal favorable to the US.
JPost.com - The Jerusalem Post - All News from the Middle East, Israel, and the Jewish World
Feb 20, 2026 - jpost.com
'When memories of the Gaza war resurfaced, I left them behind on the road in Chile'
This week at Ben-Gurion Airport: An Israeli reservist who served in Gaza processes her experience on a three-month motorcycle trip, and a Mexican tourist who dared to do things in Israel he would never try back home
Haaretz latest headlines
Feb 20, 2026 - haaretz.com
Hamas rebukes Trump's 'Board of Peace' meeting
Hamas has issued a firm rebuke to the convening of Gaza’s so-called Board of Peace in the United States.
Presstv
Feb 20, 2026 - presstv.ir
Three Palestinians killed in Israeli raids on Gaza on first day of Ramadan
Three Palestinians are killed by Israeli forces' direct fire and air strikes in Gaza.
Presstv
Feb 20, 2026 - presstv.ir
Israeli soldier admits to murder, rape in Gaza during live stream
A video circulating on social media has sparked widespread outrage online after an Israeli soldier unashamedly admitted to committing atrocities in the Gaza Strip.
Presstv
Feb 20, 2026 - presstv.ir
Iran faces off with E3 over snapback sanctions as Russia and China back Tehran
Europe’s bid to reimpose UN sanctions on Tehran has ignited a fierce backlash, with Iran denouncing the move as “illegal” and vowing firm retaliation.
Presstv
Feb 20, 2026 - presstv.ir
Silenced in France: The unjust detention of a pro-Palestine Iranian activist
Mahdieh Esfandiari, an Iranian academic who lived in France for eight years, has been unjustly detained for condemning Israel’s actions in Gaza on social media.
Presstv
Feb 20, 2026 - presstv.ir
IRGC is part of Iran’s national army: Pundit
Iranian academician states that Europe is not genuinely committed to labeling the IRGC as a “terrorist organization” and is facing significant pressure from the Israeli regime.
Presstv
Feb 20, 2026 - presstv.ir
Washington seeking regime change in Venezuela: Analyst
Podcaster and Journalist Esha Krishnaswamy believes the U-S military buildup in the Caribbean region is aimed at regime change in Venezuela.
Presstv
Feb 20, 2026 - presstv.ir
Gaza mothers in Italy recount horrors of Israel's genocide
Gaza mothers of wounded children who received treatment in Rome recount their horror at Israel's genocide.
Presstv
Feb 20, 2026 - presstv.ir
Palestinian athlete and daughter hope to return to the track despite amputation
The sports community has not been spared in the Israeli attacks on Gaza.
Presstv
Feb 20, 2026 - presstv.ir
Israeli forces loot Palestinian homes across West Bank
Reports from across the occupied West Bank have documented Israeli occupation forces looting Palestinian homes during military raids.
Presstv
Feb 20, 2026 - presstv.ir
Another Gaza medic dies in Israeli custody
A Palestinian medic has died in Israeli custody over a year after his detention, the latest healthcare worker not to return from prison.
Presstv
Feb 20, 2026 - presstv.ir
24 European countries warn of humanitarian catastrophe in Sudan
Twenty-four European and Western countries have voiced concern over the continued killing of civilians, destruction of infrastructure and targeting of humanitarian missions in Sudan. In a joint international statement, the countries said air strikes and drone attacks on displaced people, health facilities and food convoys had resulted in a high number of civilian deaths and injuries, and had disru...
Middle East Monitor
Feb 19, 2026 - middleeastmonitor.com
Pakistan PM Sharif to seek clarity on troops for Gaza in US visit, sources say
Before Pakistan commits to sending troops to Gaza as part of the International Stabilization Force it wants assurances from the United States that it will be a peacekeeping mission rather than tasked with disarming Hamas, three sources told Reuters. Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is set to attend the first formal meeting of President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace in Washington on Thursda...
Middle East Monitor
Feb 19, 2026 - middleeastmonitor.com
Belarus, issued rare invitation to Board of Peace, says it received no visas
Feb 19 (Reuters) - Belarus, a close ally of Russia rarely invited to international gatherings, said on Thursday it had intended to attend the inaugural meeting of U.S. President Donald Trump's Board of Peace in Washington but failed to receive the necessary visas.Belarus has long been subject to Western sanctions over its human rights record and punitive measures were intensified after President A...
Al-Monitor: The Pulse of The Middle East
Feb 19, 2026 - al-monitor.com
Hamas allegedly asked Mansour Abbas to ensure Netanyahu's re-election in 2021 - report
The official reportedly believed that "Netanyahu was looking for continued calm and quiet understandings, while a new government would be dragged into an operation in the Gaza Strip."
JPost.com - The Jerusalem Post - All News from the Middle East, Israel, and the Jewish World
Feb 19, 2026 - jpost.com
WATCH: IDF foils terror plots in West Bank, destroys Hamas tunnels in Gaza
One of the Hamas tunnels was approximately one kilometer long, the IDF said, and it contained several living quarters as well as explosive devices.
JPost.com - The Jerusalem Post - All News from the Middle East, Israel, and the Jewish World
Feb 19, 2026 - jpost.com
Israeli FM Sa'ar honors fallen IDF soldiers, thanks Trump for Board of Peace
"As I stand here," Sa'ar said, "I recall the 925 brave soldiers that gave their lives in a war against pure evil: Hamas, Islamic Jihad and Hezbollah. These are the best people."
JPost.com - The Jerusalem Post - All News from the Middle East, Israel, and the Jewish World
Feb 19, 2026 - jpost.com
Turkish superstar to 'Zionist traitor': Iconic singer Linet is caught between Gaza, death threats and diehard fans
Caught between two homelands, Israel and Turkey, Linet has long navigated the fragile intersection of identity, music, and politics. After condemning Hamas and saying Israel committed genocide in Gaza, she now faces a tsunami of both antisemitic abuse and accusations of treason
Haaretz latest headlines
Feb 19, 2026 - haaretz.com
Hamas placing loyalists in key Gaza positions saved for Trump-backed committee, sources say
A military assessment presented to Netanyahu in late January is said to show Hamas is taking over Gaza's government ministries. Hamas says the appointments are temporary and blames Israel for blocking the Palestinian technocratic committee from entering the Strip
Haaretz latest headlines
Feb 19, 2026 - haaretz.com
Qatar pledges $1B in support for Board of Peace
Qatar pledged $1 billion Thursday in support of the Board of Peace during the first meeting of the group in Washington, reaffirming its commitment to mediation efforts between Israel and Hamas to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Anadolu reports. Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said Doha “reaffirms its commitment to the Board of Peace as it was committed to the very...
Middle East Monitor
Feb 19, 2026 - middleeastmonitor.com
Israeli army detains at least 37 Palestinians in raids across occupied West Bank
Israeli forces detained at least 37 Palestinians and injured one during a series of raids across the occupied West Bank on the second day of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan on Thursday, Anadolu reports. In the southern city of Hebron, Israeli troops stormed the town of Beit Ula, searching homes and commercial shops, eyewitnesses said. During the raid, soldiers opened fire and injured a Palestinia...
Middle East Monitor
Feb 19, 2026 - middleeastmonitor.com
Israeli army hits Gaza Strip with airstrikes, artillery shelling on 2nd day of Ramadan
The Israeli army launched intense airstrikes and heavy artillery shelling in the Gaza Strip on Thursday on the second day of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, despite the Oct. 10 ceasefire agreement, witnesses said. Israeli fighter jets carried out heavy strikes on eastern neighborhoods of Gaza City in the north, alongside artillery shelling in the surrounding areas, witnesses told Anadolu. The...
Middle East Monitor
Feb 19, 2026 - middleeastmonitor.com
Presenter Tucker Carlson claims Israel detained him after interview with US ambassador
A new political row has erupted after conservative US broadcaster Tucker Carlson accused Israeli authorities of detaining him at Ben Gurion Airport on Wednesday following an interview with the US ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee. Israeli officials and the US embassy in Tel Aviv swiftly rejected the claim, describing the incident as “routine procedures”. Carlson, who has been sharply critical o...
Middle East Monitor
Feb 19, 2026 - middleeastmonitor.com
US judge overturns deportation order for Columbia student
A US federal judge has overturned a deportation order issued against a Palestinian student at Columbia University who took part in protests against the Israeli war in Gaza, according to US media reports. Muhsin Mahdawi, 34, was born in a Palestinian refugee camp in the occupied West Bank and has held a US permanent resident card, or “green card”, since 2015. He was detained by agents from Immigrat...
Middle East Monitor
Feb 19, 2026 - middleeastmonitor.com
Billions pledged, but Hamas' grip clouds Trump’s Gaza plan
The Board of Peace is touting new aid and military commitments, but will they make a difference if Hamas still holds the guns in Gaza?
Al-Monitor: The Pulse of The Middle East
Feb 19, 2026 - al-monitor.com
US readies warships, jets, tankers for potential weekslong Iran war
Pentagon assembles its largest Middle East strike force since 2003, adding F-35s, F-22s, tankers, electronic-warfare and command planes plus a second carrier.
Al-Monitor: The Pulse of The Middle East
Feb 19, 2026 - al-monitor.com
Uzbekistan to make a ‘meaningful contribution’ to Gaza reconstruction, says Uzbek president
Uzbekistan is ready to make a “meaningful contribution” to the construction of residential buildings, kindergartens, schools and hospitals in the Gaza Strip, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev said Thursday at the first Board of Peace meeting in Washington, Anadolu reports. Mirziyoyev expressed confidence that the boar’s work “will help create a favorable environment for the economic and social re...
Middle East Monitor
Feb 19, 2026 - middleeastmonitor.com
Israeli army forces detain child in Syria’s Quneitra
The Israeli army detained a child west of Kodna village in Syria’s southern Quneitra province on Thursday, Anadolu reports. The state-run Alikhbariah TV reported that Israeli troops arrested the child in the western outskirts of the village and took him to an undisclosed location. There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military regarding the reported detention. Damascus has repeatedly aff...
Middle East Monitor
Feb 19, 2026 - middleeastmonitor.com
Gaza: On The Ground with Motasem A Dalloul | Week 16 Feb
MEMO spoke to Motasem A Dalloul, a survivor of Israel’s genocide in Gaza, in the first of a new series of regular updates from the ground. Dalloul describes the daily struggle to survive: hunger, cold, the collapse of healthcare, and ongoing Israeli violations despite the so-called ceasefire. WATCH: Gaza: On The Ground with Motasem A Dalloul | Week 2 Feb
Middle East Monitor
Feb 19, 2026 - middleeastmonitor.com
Director of ‘The Voice of Hind Rajab’ declines award at Berlin event
The director of The Voice of Hind Rajab declined to accept an award at a Berlin event this week after an Israeli general was recognized at the same gathering, Anadolu reports. Tunisian filmmaker Kaouther Ben Hania chose not to receive the “Most Valuable Film” award at the “Cinema for Peace” gala event on Monday and left the trophy behind. In her remarks, she said she felt a sense of responsibility...
Middle East Monitor
Feb 19, 2026 - middleeastmonitor.com
Only one-third of expected travelers crossed Rafah since reopening: Gaza media office
Gaza’s government media office said Thursday that only 1,148 Palestinians have crossed the Rafah border crossing with Egypt since its limited reopening earlier this month, a figure it said represents roughly one-third of those expected to travel, Anadolu reports. In a statement, the office said 640 people departed Gaza and 508 returned between Feb. 2 and Feb. 18, while 26 others were turned back d...
Middle East Monitor
Feb 19, 2026 - middleeastmonitor.com
Where is the international community’s accountability for Israel’s latest annexation phase?
The international community does not want to be held accountable to history or its role in Israel’s colonisation of Palestine. With each violation, the UN and world leaders issue statements as if Israel is for the first time acting in violation of international law. “The moves could lead to settlement expansion by removing bureaucratic barriers and easing land purchases and building permits,” UN...
Middle East Monitor
Feb 19, 2026 - middleeastmonitor.com
Iran closes large parts of its airspace ahead of missile drill
Iran’s Civil Aviation Authority issued an unusual official notice to pilots (NOTAM) on Wednesday, announcing the closure of large sections of the country’s airspace. The notice said the closure is to allow a planned missile launch exercise tomorrow. It specified danger zones where flying will be completely banned due to military activity. The move has caused serious concern among international ai...
Middle East Monitor
Feb 19, 2026 - middleeastmonitor.com
Russia urges dialogue on Iran nuclear issue, dismisses threats
Russia has called for resolving the Iranian nuclear issue through dialogue, warning that threats and pressure tactics will not advance negotiations. Speaking in Moscow on Wednesday, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Moscow believes that acceptable solutions can only be achieved through “dialogue based on equality and respect”. “There is no reasonable alternative to this dialogue,” ...
Middle East Monitor
Feb 19, 2026 - middleeastmonitor.com
War-weary Sudanese celebrate as Ramadan returns to Khartoum
A familiar scene returned to Khartoum as men gathered in the streets of the war-scarred Sudanese capital to break their fast on the first day of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.It was here that fighting first erupted in April 2023 between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.The conflict then swept across the country, killing tens of thousands of people and displacing millions.For c...
Al-Monitor: The Pulse of The Middle East
Feb 19, 2026 - al-monitor.com
'Hundreds of strikes per day': Former CENTCOM deputy says US can wipe out Islamic Regime in hours
A possible first wave of an attack on Iran would focus on strategic missile sites and launchers, the most immediate threats to US forces and Israel, a former CENTCOM official told the Post.
JPost.com - The Jerusalem Post - All News from the Middle East, Israel, and the Jewish World
Feb 19, 2026 - jpost.com
World will know if Iran peace possible in next 10 days, Donald Trump tells Board of Peace
"It looks like Hamas will be getting rid of their weapons," Trump added. "They said 'they're not afraid to die,' but they are."
JPost.com - The Jerusalem Post - All News from the Middle East, Israel, and the Jewish World
Feb 19, 2026 - jpost.com
Hamas condemns PA forces for killing two children in West Bank op.
Hamas described the incident as a “serious crime” and a “black mark” on the PA’s record, saying the establishment “used force against their own people instead of protecting them”.
JPost.com - The Jerusalem Post - All News from the Middle East, Israel, and the Jewish World
Feb 19, 2026 - jpost.com
Israeli settler kills Palestinian-American teen in West Bank, local health ministry says
A US embassy official condemned the violence, telling Reuters on Thursday: "The US Department of State has no higher priority than the safety and security of US citizens overseas."
JPost.com - The Jerusalem Post - All News from the Middle East, Israel, and the Jewish World
Feb 19, 2026 - jpost.com
As an Israeli, I stayed away from Little Palestine, NJ, since October 7. Here's what happened when I returned
During the war in Gaza, I hesitated to visit Paterson, New Jersey, an NYC suburb with a large Palestinian community. This is what I found when I returned after two and a half years away
Haaretz latest headlines
Feb 19, 2026 - haaretz.com
As Trump signals strike on Iran to ignite prolonged conflict, Israel ramps up defense
The pace of the U.S. military build-up in the Middle East has intensified in recent days and it now appears the administration is considering an attack in the near future. At the same time, the IDF is completing its own preparations for war, and is not ruling out an active part in a U.S. operation
Haaretz latest headlines
Feb 19, 2026 - haaretz.com
Gaza administration committee opens applications to form new police force
The National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG) announced Thursday that it has opened applications to establish a new Palestinian police force in the Gaza Strip, Anadolu reports. In a statement published on its website, the committee invited “qualified and committed individuals” to submit applications to serve the community and strengthen public security. It said it aims to recruit Pa...
Middle East Monitor
Feb 19, 2026 - middleeastmonitor.com
Indonesian president pledges 8,000 ‘or more’ troops to Gaza peacekeeping force
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto on Thursday pledged 8,000 “or more” troops to the International Stabilization Force in Gaza at the inaugural Board of Peace meeting in Washington, Anadolu reports. Despite the obstacles and difficulties, “we are very optimistic that with the leadership of (US) President (Donald) Trump, this vision of real peace will be achieved,” he said. “There will be proble...
Middle East Monitor
Feb 19, 2026 - middleeastmonitor.com
From coercion to negotiation – Why Washington now sits across from Tehran
For years, Washington addressed Tehran through pressure. Sanctions were tightened layer upon layer. Naval deployments in the Gulf were amplified. Political rhetoric framed Iran as a state that would eventually yield under economic suffocation. The assumption was that sustained coercion would fracture internal stability and compel compliance. That expectation has not materialised. The return to neg...
Middle East Monitor
Feb 19, 2026 - middleeastmonitor.com
Tusk urges Polish citizens to leave Iran immediately amid conflict fears
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk on Thursday issued an urgent appeal for citizens to leave Iran immediately and warned against all travel to the country, citing the risk of an imminent military escalation, Anadolu reports. “Please leave Iran immediately and under no circumstances travel to this country,” Tusk told reporters in the town of Zielonka near Warsaw. “I do not want to alarm anyone, but ...
Middle East Monitor
Feb 19, 2026 - middleeastmonitor.com
52 dead since start of year amid crime surge in Israel’s Arab communities
Since the start of the year, 52 people have been killed, including four young men shot dead on Wednesday evening in three separate incidents. One was shot by police in Kabul, in the Galilee region; another was killed in a shooting in Laqiya, in the Negev; and two young men were shot inside a shop in Haifa. This raises the number of people killed by police gunfire since the start of the year to fou...
Middle East Monitor
Feb 19, 2026 - middleeastmonitor.com
Netanyahu postpones security cabinet meeting amid expectations of Iran strike “within days”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has unexpectedly postponed a meeting of the country’s security cabinet, as estimates suggest a possible US attack on Iran could begin within days, Hebrew media reported on Wednesday. The Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth said assessments inside Israel indicate that US President Donald Trump is leaning towards launching a large-scale military strike on Iranian...
Middle East Monitor
Feb 19, 2026 - middleeastmonitor.com
Report links Somaliland recognition to rising Cairo–Tel Aviv tensions
An Israeli news platform has published an assessment warning of rising tensions between Egypt and Israel in the Horn of Africa, raising the possibility of indirect or even direct military confrontation on Somali territory. The Hebrew-language outlet Natsiv Net reported that developments up to February 2026 point to escalating rivalry between Cairo and Tel Aviv, particularly in light of their growi...
Middle East Monitor
Feb 19, 2026 - middleeastmonitor.com
Iran, Russia hold naval drills as Araghchi briefs Saudi FM on nuclear talks
There are increasing indications a US military strike could be on the horizon as momentum toward a new Iran nuclear deal stalls.
Al-Monitor: The Pulse of The Middle East
Feb 19, 2026 - al-monitor.com
Kenyan families demand return of loved ones recruited into Russian army
Official intelligence report revealed that more than 1,000 citizens had been lured to fight for Russia in Ukraine.
Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera
Feb 19, 2026 - aljazeera.com
Italy opposes Paralympics allowing Russia and Belarus to use flags, anthems
The two countries had been banned following the invasion of Ukraine, but had their rights restored last year.
Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera
Feb 19, 2026 - aljazeera.com
UK may not allow US to use its bases to attack Iran over possible int'l law violations - report
According to a Wednesday Truth Social post by US President Donald Trump, the US may need to use the joint UK-US Diego Garcia base and the RAF Fairford base in order to strike Iran.
JPost.com - The Jerusalem Post - All News from the Middle East, Israel, and the Jewish World
Feb 19, 2026 - jpost.com
IDF chief says finger 'on the trigger' as Tehran threat looms over Middle East
Zamir said that the IDF's metaphorical finger was "on the trigger" if its enemies were to make any operational change.
JPost.com - The Jerusalem Post - All News from the Middle East, Israel, and the Jewish World
Feb 19, 2026 - jpost.com
Ex-intel official discusses the risks and opportunities presented by revolutions in AI
"You can defend well hundreds of times, but they only have to get through once," the former official noted. "It is always harder to protect than it is to attack."
JPost.com - The Jerusalem Post - All News from the Middle East, Israel, and the Jewish World
Feb 19, 2026 - jpost.com
IDF: West Bank stable heading into Ramadan, but maintaining high op. tempo to prevent incitement
The IDF's deployment of troops is designed to shift rapidly from routine activities to targeted raids, arrests, and intelligence-led interdictions when incidents occur.
JPost.com - The Jerusalem Post - All News from the Middle East, Israel, and the Jewish World
Feb 19, 2026 - jpost.com
Oxfam to halt Gaza aid over Israeli NGO Rules, as ex-CEO alleges pressure to say 'genocide'
Oxfam will cease its Gaza operations after Israel's Diaspora Affairs Ministry revoked the registration of 37 NGOs for non-compliance with new rules. Oxfam refused to submit employee data due to humanitarian and data protection principles
Haaretz latest headlines
Feb 19, 2026 - haaretz.com
War and (Board of) Peace: As allies appease him, Trump touts stability but heads to strike Iran
The inaugural Board of Peace meeting served as a soapbox for Trump's peacemaking ambitions. It seemed beside the point that they have little to do with facts on the ground, especially in Gaza
Haaretz latest headlines
Feb 19, 2026 - haaretz.com
How Israel's courts condemn Palestinian children to death, because they have cancer
Mohammed has been living in Ramallah since 2022, but his registered address is Gaza. That was enough for an Israeli judge to ban him from receiving cancer treatment in Israel, thus rendering his death inevitable. He shares the fate of 18,500 patients in Gaza, barred from life-saving treatment
Haaretz latest headlines
Feb 19, 2026 - haaretz.com
'We haven't had a normal Ramadan in four years': For Palestinians, the start of Islam's holy month is marred by violence
In Israel, the West Bank and Gaza, Palestinians say the festive spirit of Ramadan has become another casualty of the conflict: 'We wish Ramadan could be like before. We used to welcome it with happiness. Today, we welcome it with tears'
Haaretz latest headlines
Feb 19, 2026 - haaretz.com
Trump officials reportedly planning 5,000 person military base in Gaza
The Trump administration is moving forward with constructing a significant military base in southern Gaza as part of the peacekeeping efforts in President Trump's plan for the region, The Guardian reports
Haaretz latest headlines
Feb 19, 2026 - haaretz.com
They served in Gaza, then died by suicide – but are not recognized as fallen soldiers
The IDF's policy is clear: while soldiers are in uniform, they're the military's responsibility. The day after? Not anymore. Soldiers who take their own lives after discharge because of their service are not recognized as fallen and do not receive a military funeral. Six bereaved families tell Haaretz how it feels to be left outside the gate
Haaretz latest headlines
Feb 19, 2026 - haaretz.com
Explained: The military conscription bill driving riots in Haredi cities
Mass demonstrations over military conscription have grown more frequent as the government seeks to advance legislation on exemptions, turning the issue into a flashpoint in Israeli society as the country approaches a general election later this year
Haaretz latest headlines
Feb 19, 2026 - haaretz.com
Israel refuses to release body of ex-IDF soldier who died in detention without trial
Hassan Kashallah, a resident of Rahat, was arrested after the Shin Bet alleged he was an ISIS member – a claim he denied. He remained in detention despite warnings that, as a discharged soldier held with security prisoners, he was at risk and not receiving necessary medical care
Haaretz latest headlines
Feb 19, 2026 - haaretz.com
Israel prepares for possible US green light to strike Iran’s ballistic missile system: Public broadcaster
Israel is preparing for the possibility of receiving a green light from the US to launch an attack on Iran’s ballistic missile system, Israel’s public broadcaster KAN said late Wednesday, Anadolu reports. The broadcaster noted that the scenario of Israel striking Iran’s ballistic missiles comes amid widespread focus on whether US President Donald Trump will order the attack on Iran. Israeli securi...
Middle East Monitor
Feb 18, 2026 - middleeastmonitor.com
U.S. tells Board of Peace members to disclose financial commitment to rebuilding Gaza
The draft resolution expected to be signed Thursday says 'the reconstruction and rehabilitation activities of the Board shall be dedicated solely to those who regard Gaza as their home and place of residence' in a nod to Trump's 'Gaza Riviera' statement