Gaza Strip

Palestinians vote in first municipal elections since outbreak of Gaza war - analysis

The elections will be closely watched to see the trends. If things go well, this could boost the plans for change in Gaza.

|BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
People walk past destroyed homes on April 20, 2026 in Gaza City, Gaza.
FINANCE MINISTER Bezalel Smotrich holds a press conference ahead of the vote on the state budget at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, March 29, 2026.

Smotrich: US supports Israeli West Bank settlement expansion - interview

In past efforts by Israel to expand control in the West Bank, the US has called for maintaining stability in the area, adding that US President Donald Trump has not backed total annexation.

|ByKESHET NEEV
Eli Sharabi was abducted from his home in Kibbutz Be’eri during the Oct. 7, 2023 attack and survived 491 days in Hamas captivity.

Former Gaza hostage Eli Sharabi reflects on Independence Day, family loss

Eli Sharabi, who survived Hamas captivity, shares his emotional journey after the October 7 massacre, revealing how Independence Day now holds deeper meaning as he honors his murdered family.

|BySHIRLY GOLAN
Fallen Israeli soldier Staff-Sergeant Shachar Fridman.

‘He was always smiling’: Sister of fallen soldier Shachar Fridman on Israel’s Remembrance Day

Fridman was a soldier in the 101st Battalion of the Paratroopers Brigade, who returned to service after the October 7 outbreak of war despite having already been released from the army.

|ByTHE MEDIA LINE STAFF

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."

FEBRUARY 19, 2026ByREUTERS, JERUSALEM POST STAFF
US President Donald Trump speaks at the inaugural Board of Peace meeting at the US Institute of Peace in Washington, DC, US, February 19, 2026

A cautious Ramadan: Balancing security, rights, and common sense for a peaceful month - editorial

As Ramadan begins, Israel takes a cautious approach, managing security without escalating tensions, hoping for a month of prayer and peace.

FEBRUARY 19, 2026ByJPOST EDITORIAL
Israel Police officers patrol in Jerusalem’s Old City during the beginning of the holy fasting month of Ramadan, February 18, 2026.

Israeli soldier St.-Sgt. Ofri Yafe killed by friendly fire in southern Gaza, IDF says

According to Israeli media, Yafe was hit by friendly fire during a nighttime operation by paratrooper forces in Khan Yunis on Tuesday night.

FEBRUARY 18, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
St.-Sgt. Ofri Yafe.

Israel condemns Swiss commentator's attempt to 'humiliate' athletes at Winter Olympics

The commentary noted that AJ Edelman had defined himself as a Zionist...adding that "one can therefore question his presence in Cortina during these Games."

FEBRUARY 18, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST SPORTS STAFF
AJ EDELMAN reacts after his second heat run in the 2-man bobsleigh event at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics

Smotrich announces intention to abolish Oslo Accords, dismantle PA during next term

Smotritch suggested the dismantling of the PA in favor of creating a new military administration to govern the area, with the ultimate aim of applying full Israeli sovereignty over the region.

FEBRUARY 17, 2026ByAVRAHAM BLOCH, JERUSALEM POST STAFF
Finance Minister and Head of the Religious Zionist Party Bezalel Smotrich leads a faction meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, February 16, 2026.

Israeli suppliers empty out inventories selling sweets, soft drinks to Gaza for Ramadan

A, a large candy manufacturer in Israel, told Walla on Monday that he had never seen such an influx of demand for his products as he is seeing now in the Gaza market. 

FEBRUARY 17, 2026ByLIAT RON
A Palestinian woman shops as she prepares for the holy fasting month of Ramadan, in Gaza City, February 17, 2026.

October 7 revealed why Two-State Solution won't work, what will actually protect Israel - opinion

After October 7 shattered Israel’s Gaza assumptions, a hard security reassessment is unavoidable. The classic two-state model no longer fits, but alternatives could better protect Israel.

FEBRUARY 17, 2026ByGIORA EILAND
An Israeli soldier is seen in Kibbutz Kfar Aza, on October 27, 2023

WATCH: IDF thwarts attempt to smuggle tobacco disguised as food aid into Gaza

Hundreds of kilograms of tobacco hidden in canned food products were seized at the Kerem Shalom crossing, prompting COGAT to suspend the company’s permit to bring aid into Gaza.

FEBRUARY 16, 2026ByJAMES GENN
Tobacco seized by the IDF that was being smuggled into Gaza.

Morocco, Albania, Greece expected to join International Stabilization Force in Gaza

Morocco, Albania, and Greece will join Indonesia in the force, which is set to oversee current ceasefire lines and possibly address other border-related issues.

FEBRUARY 16, 2026ByYONAH JEREMY BOB
Displaced Palestinians receive prefabricated tents, which are safer and more durable, with the support of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Al-Zaytun of Gaza City, Gaza on February 7, 2026.

Up to 130 int'l lawyers protected IDF from war crimes charges as it fought in Gaza - exclusive

The ILD had to guide and provide varied rules of engagement while as many as 50,000 IDF infantry and tanks were invading all over Gaza

FEBRUARY 16, 2026ByYONAH JEREMY BOB
This picture taken during a media tour organised by the Israeli military on January 27, 2024, shows Israeli soldiers patrolling an area in Gaza's main southern city of Khan Yunis, amid continuing battles between Israel and the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas.