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Ben Caspit

Ben Caspit

Al Monitor

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Israel, Iran at a draw after Isfahan attack, ready to return to covert war

TEL AVIV — On Friday morning, a few hours after mysterious attacks on targets in Iran, official and unofficial Israel was cloaked in silence. ...

19.04.2024 9

Al Monitor

Ben Caspit

Israel's Netanyahu 'unlikely to disobey Biden' as Iran attack readjusts alliances

TEL AVIV — The analysts who crowded Israeli television studios in the tense hours leading up to Iran’s historic missile and drone barrage at...

14.04.2024 7

Al Monitor

Ben Caspit

With US on its side, Israel expects any imminent Iran attack to be 'measured'

TEL AVIV — Tensions remained high in the Middle East and beyond on Friday in expectation of Iran's response to the April 1 assassination of Quds...

12.04.2024 10

Al Monitor

Ben Caspit

What Netanyahu's abrupt Gaza withdrawal means for Israel, Rafah op.

TEL AVIV — Anyone wishing to understand how Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu operates need not delve into the biographies written about Israel’s...

09.04.2024 30

Al Monitor

Ben Caspit

Biden threatens US policy shift on Gaza war as Israel braces for Iranian reprisal

TEL AVIV — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and almost 10 million other Israelis have spent the past week preparing for Iran’s threatened...

05.04.2024 9

Al Monitor

Ben Caspit

Hamas urges end to Gaza airdrops after deaths, more aid trucks

Hamas on Tuesday urged foreign nations to stop parachuting aid into war-torn Gaza after officials and humanitarians said 18 people died trying to...

26.03.2024 7

Al Monitor

Ben Caspit

As Israel's Gallant seeks arms in Washington, Netanyahu picks fight with Biden

TEL AVIV — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's decision on Monday to scrap the Washington visit of a high-level delegation that he had promised...

26.03.2024 6

Al Monitor

Ben Caspit

As Netanyahu balks at PA control, Hamas cells regroup in north Gaza

TEL AVIV — The renewed Israeli military raid on Gaza City’s Al-Shifa hospital launched on Sunday clearly illustrates that Hamas retains some of...

19.03.2024 8

Al Monitor

Ben Caspit

Why Schumer's rebuke of Netanyahu is an 'earthquake' in Israeli politics

TEL AVIV — Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer delivered a ringing public rebuke this week to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, sealing...

15.03.2024 8

Al Monitor

Ben Caspit

As rift grows, can Biden ditch Netanyahu and keep Israel's support?

TEL AVIV — US President Joe Biden’s frustration with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reached a new high in recent days with the...

12.03.2024 9

Al Monitor

Ben Caspit

Lebanon, not Gaza, could trigger regional war as Israel-Hezbollah tension soars

TEL AVIV — As clashes between Hezbollah and Israel intensify despite US mediation efforts, an all-out war between the two sides is no longer a...

08.03.2024 4

Al Monitor

Ben Caspit

As Netanyahu fumes, Gantz welcomed by White House, floats regional approach to Gaza aid crisis

TEL AVIV — Judging by reactions of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s entourage, few things have upset him and his family members...

05.03.2024 9

Al Monitor

Ben Caspit

As Gaza boils, West Bank implosion tops Israel's, US fears on eve of Ramadan

TEL AVIV — The approaching Islamic holy month of Ramadan is increasing concerns in the United States and Israel about the potential for an...

01.03.2024 5

Al Monitor

Ben Caspit

Israel hits Hezbollah deeper in Lebanon, but full-scale war 'not there yet'

TEL AVIV — Hezbollah finally achieved what military sources say has been the group's goal since the start of the Oct. 7 war: shooting down an...

27.02.2024 3

Al Monitor

Ben Caspit

Netanyahu gives in to US pressure on Paris talks but still committed to war

TEL AVIV — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu approved the participation of an Israeli delegation in Friday’s US-led negotiations in Paris on a...

23.02.2024 4

Al Monitor

Ben Caspit

Israel faces growing pressure over Gaza ceasefire

Israel faced growing international pressure Tuesday to agree to a ceasefire with Hamas, as it prepared for an incursion into the crowded southern Gaza...

13.02.2024 4

Al Monitor

Ben Caspit

Hostages' rescue buys Netanyahu time as Israel braces for longer war in Gaza

TEL AVIV — News of the release early Monday morning of two Israeli hostages held in Rafah in the south of the Gaza Strip sent shockwaves through...

13.02.2024 4

Al Monitor

Ben Caspit

Netanyahu wants 'total victory,' will it cost Saudi normalization, US support?

TEL AVIV — The news struck the Israeli government like it were a Houthi missile: Saudi Arabia announced on Wednesday that it would not establish...

09.02.2024 6

Al Monitor

Ben Caspit

Is Netanyahu waiting for Trump as Israel's Ben-Gvir sabotages Biden?

TEL AVIV — It was a well-executed commando operation against the enemy's rear guard. Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, shunned...

06.02.2024 4

Al Monitor

Ben Caspit

Hochstein back in Israel: can he bring a Lebanon cease-fire alongside Gaza's?

TEL AVIV — The reported progress made in recent days toward a cease-fire in Gaza in exchange for the release of hostages held by Hamas presents...

02.02.2024 20

Al Monitor

Ben Caspit

Cautious optimism around Israel-Hamas deal but Netanyahu indecisive

TEL AVIV — Israelis await impatiently to hear the response by Hamas for a possible hostage-release outline currently on the table, but at the same...

30.01.2024 8

Al Monitor

Ben Caspit

Can US pressure Netanyahu to accept Palestinian state for Israel-Saudi normalization?

TEL AVIV — Will Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accept a compromise on Gaza and the two-state solution in exchange for normalization of ties with...

23.01.2024 10

Al Monitor

Ben Caspit

Pakistan and Iran agree to 'de-escalate' after trading air strikes

Pakistan and Iran "agreed to de-escalate" tensions Friday, Islamabad said, after trading deadly airstrikes on militant targets in each other's...

19.01.2024 6

Al Monitor

Ben Caspit

'Hallucination' or realpolitik? Netanyahu's long shot at Israel-Saudi normalization

TEL AVIV — As bizarre as it may sound, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continues to talk about normalizing Israel’s relations with...

19.01.2024 6

Al Monitor

Ben Caspit

Blinken tells Israel civilian toll in Gaza 'far too high'

Top US diplomat Antony Blinken told Israel Tuesday the toll on Gazan civilians caused by its war against Hamas was "far too high", urging his ally to...

09.01.2024 5

Al Monitor

Ben Caspit

Blinken tells Israel to avoid 'further civilian harm' in Gaza

More than three months into the deadliest ever Gaza war, US top diplomat Antony Blinken urged Israel on Tuesday to "avoid further civilian harm" in...

09.01.2024 4

Al Monitor

Ben Caspit

Can Blinken restrain Israel from war with Hezbollah as Lebanon front escalates?

TEL AVIV — US Secretary of State Antony Blinken started his meetings in Israel Tuesday morning on a complicated note, reflecting Israeli skepticism...

09.01.2024 6

Al Monitor

Ben Caspit

Fighting rages in Gaza as Israel minister lays out post-war plan

Bombing continued across Gaza on Friday as the world began to digest Israel's first proposals for the administration of the territory after its war...

05.01.2024 7

Al Monitor

Ben Caspit

Israel uncertain of Hezbollah's intentions, prepares for all options

TEL AVIV — The day after the Jan. 2 assassination of senior Hamas leader Saleh al-Arouri in Beirut widely attributed to Israel, vaunted former...

05.01.2024 4

Al Monitor

Ben Caspit

Why Israeli court strike down of judicial overhaul is serious blow to Netanyahu

TEL AVIV — A landmark High Court ruling issued on Jan. 1, overturning one of the government’s key legislative efforts, marked the first day of...

02.01.2024 7

Al Monitor

Ben Caspit

Israel's Netanyahu bows to far right's demands on postwar Gaza as US frustration grows

TEL AVIV — For the first time since the start of the Israel-Hamas war 85 days ago, Israelis received an unadulterated demonstration on Thursday of...

29.12.2023 20

Al Monitor

Ben Caspit

Israel's Netanyahu bows to far right's demands on post-war Gaza as US frustration grows

TEL AVIV — For the first time since the start of the Israel-Hamas war 85 days ago, Israelis received an unadulterated demonstration on Thursday of...

29.12.2023 8

Al Monitor

Ben Caspit

How killing of Iran’s IRGC commander in Syria could ignite Israel-Lebanon war

TEL AVIV — The commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in Syria, Sayyed Ghazi Mousavi, was killed Monday when missiles struck his...

26.12.2023 10

Al Monitor

Ben Caspit

Israel strikes Gaza after UN calls for more aid

Israel pressed its Gaza offensive Saturday, with Hamas authorities reporting heavy shelling in several cities hours after world powers demanded more...

23.12.2023 6

Al Monitor

Ben Caspit

UN Security Council demands 'urgent' aid for Gaza

The UN Security Council on Friday demanded aid be rushed to Gaza "at scale" as the head of the World Health Organization warned of a looming famine in...

23.12.2023 7

Al Monitor

Ben Caspit

UN resolution urges more Gaza aid as war takes toll on civilians

Fighting between Israel and Hamas in Gaza raged Friday as the UN Security Council approved a much-delayed resolution to boost aid to the besieged...

22.12.2023 3

Al Monitor

Ben Caspit

UN Security Council demands Gaza aid deliveries 'at scale'

The United Nations Security Council voted on Friday to approve a resolution that demands all sides in the Israel-Hamas conflict allow the "safe and...

22.12.2023 7

Al Monitor

Ben Caspit

UN Security Council to vote on Gaza aid measure after delays

The United Nations Security Council was poised on Friday to vote on a much-delayed and watered-down resolution to boost aid to Gaza after Washington...

22.12.2023 6

Al Monitor

Ben Caspit

As Hezbollah clashes intensify, Israel pours cold water on Lebanon deal

TEL AVIV — As fighting between Hezbollah and Israel escalated this week, with Israeli warplanes mounting their longest-range strike yet against...

22.12.2023 10

Al Monitor

Ben Caspit

Austin's wish list to Israel: No occupation of Gaza, no war deadline

TEL AVIV — US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin brought with him an updated wish list for his meetings in Israel on Monday with the country's...

19.12.2023 2

Al Monitor

Ben Caspit

Netanyahu, Biden at loggerheads over war, Gaza's future

TEL AVIV — Long-simmering tensions between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Joe Biden came to a head this week as each...

15.12.2023 6

Al Monitor

Ben Caspit

Israel braces for possible Hezbollah attack as Lebanese border heats up

TEL AVIV — While the end of Israel’s ground invasion of the Gaza Strip appears on the horizon, with Israel convinced that Hamas is near breaking...

12.12.2023 6

Al Monitor

Ben Caspit

Shin Bet chief calls on UN to side with Israel in 'war between good and evil'

TEL AVIV — Reflecting profound frustration with widespread international criticism of its military campaign to topple Hamas, Israel’s top...

06.12.2023 7

Al Monitor

Ben Caspit

Deadly Israel strikes rock Gaza after truce collapses

Israel resumed its deadly bombardment of Gaza on Friday despite international calls for a renewed truce, killing at least 178 people according to...

01.12.2023 9

Al Monitor

Ben Caspit

Israel resumes deadly Gaza bombardment after truce breaks down

Israel resumed its deadly bombardment of Gaza on Friday after a truce broke down, saying it struck more than 200 targets in the densely inhabited...

01.12.2023 6

Al Monitor

Ben Caspit

As Gaza truce collapses, what red lines did US draw to Israel on next steps?

TEL AVIV — The resumption of fighting between Israel and Hamas on Friday comes amid serious disagreements between the positions voiced by Secretary...

01.12.2023 5

Al Monitor

Ben Caspit

As Gaza truce collapses, what redlines did US deliver to Israel on next steps?

TEL AVIV — The resumption of fighting between Israel and Hamas on Friday comes amid serious disagreements between the positions voiced by Secretary...

01.12.2023 5

Al Monitor

Ben Caspit

Israel-Hamas truce extension buys Netanyahu and Sinwar time

TEL AVIV — The four-day pause in the war between Israel and Hamas went into overtime Tuesday, with the sides agreeing on a two-day extension and...

28.11.2023 5

Al Monitor

Ben Caspit

First Israeli hostages return home, but Hamas war is nowhere near over

TEL AVIV — An entire nation followed with bated breath Friday as Hamas freed 13 Israelis it had held in captivity in Gaza for 49 days, the first...

25.11.2023 10

Al Monitor

Ben Caspit

First Israeli hostages return home, but country vows to keep fighting Hamas

TEL AVIV — An entire nation followed with bated breath Friday as Hamas freed 13 Israelis it had held in captivity in Gaza for 49 days, the first...

25.11.2023 3

Al Monitor

Ben Caspit

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