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Ben Caspit

Ben Caspit

Al Monitor

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Israel hedges, intensifies Iran and Lebanon strikes ahead of Trump talks

Israel believes that US President Trump might soon opt to end the war, leading to a surge in Israeli strikes ahead of a potential ceasefire.

24.03.2026 7

Al Monitor

Ben Caspit

Running out of time: Israel escalates Iran strikes as Trump weighs ‘elegant exit’

The Israeli military is pushing for more strikes on Iran before the window of opportunity closes, when US President Trump decides to end the war.

10.03.2026 8

Al Monitor

Ben Caspit

Despite warnings from Israel's defense elite, Netanyahu pushes for Iran strike

Although Israeli advisers warn against appearing to drag the US into war, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not hidden his desire to help topple...

20.02.2026 100

Al Monitor

Ben Caspit

Oman talks leave Israel unsure of Trump's endgame as missile threat persists

Israel and the United States are tightly coordinated on intelligence, but Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is apparently in the dark on President...

07.02.2026 10

Al Monitor

Ben Caspit

Despite US assurances, Israel fears being sidelined in partial Iran deal

Israel is rattled by Oman as the new venue for the talks and fears that President Donald Trump could go for a partial nuclear deal or for an interim...

04.02.2026 10

Al Monitor

Ben Caspit

Iran threats, flattery, unresolved gaps: What Trump really gave Netanyahu at Mar-a-Lago

At their meeting at Mar-a-Lago, President Donald Trump heaped compliments on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu but offered few concrete...

30.12.2025 10

Al Monitor

Ben Caspit

Eyeing Turkey, Netanyahu boosts Greece, Cyprus ties ahead of US visit

Worried about the increasing empowerment of Turkey across the Middle East, Israel is making a show of neighborhood strength with Greece and Cyprus.

26.12.2025 10

Al Monitor

Ben Caspit

Inside Netanyahu’s pressure campaign to block Turkey, Saudi Arabia from acquiring F-35s

On Dec. 1, Netanyahu met in his Jerusalem office with Frank St. John, chief operating officer of Lockheed Martin, lead contractor for the F-35's...

12.12.2025 10

Al Monitor

Ben Caspit

A Trump bargain: Pardon Netanyahu in exchange for Israel-Syria security deal?

President Trump is less concerned with the outcome of Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s graft trial than with pressuring him to finalize a security...

02.12.2025 10

Al Monitor

Ben Caspit

As it prepares for Hezbollah’s retaliation, Israel anticipates limited fighting in Lebanon

After Israel killed Hezbollah military commander Ali Tabatabai, the militant group faces demands for retaliation from its base.

25.11.2025 10

Al Monitor

Ben Caspit

With Saudi normalization off table, MBS visit to Trump 'a defeat for Israel'

Israelis are searching for answers for the shift in US policy, some pointing to Saudi promises to invest trillions in the US, while others point to...

21.11.2025 20

Al Monitor

Ben Caspit

Ahead of MBS visit, Saudis link Israel normalization to 3 asks from Trump

President Donald Trump would clearly like to say he persuaded Israel and Saudi Arabia to normalize ties, but neither Sheikh Mohammed bin Salman nor...

14.11.2025 9

Al Monitor

Ben Caspit

Despite uptick in Israeli strikes in Lebanon, both sides reluctant for war

Even as Israel's strikes on Hezbollah fuel speculation about a return to war, Israeli officials say the ceasefire in Lebanon will hold.

28.10.2025 9

Al Monitor

Ben Caspit

Protests, strikes across Italy for Gaza flotilla

Over 200,000 people protested across Italy Friday as they downed tools in support of the Gaza aid flotilla in a strike that caused widespread ...

03.10.2025 8

Al Monitor

Ben Caspit

Netanyahu hamstrung by far right, Trump as Hamas drags feet on Gaza plan

The Hamas commanders in Gaza remain the main obstacle to advancement of the Trump plan and are expected to seek amendments even as Israel’s...

03.10.2025 10

Al Monitor

Ben Caspit

Greek PM warns Israel risks losing friends

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, a key partner of Israel within the European Union, warned Friday that Israel risked losing remaining friends...

26.09.2025 10

Al Monitor

Ben Caspit

Netanyahu sidesteps Trump's Gaza plan at UN as US presses Israel to end war

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to meet on Monday with President Donald Trump, where he will have to make decisions on whether to...

26.09.2025 9

Al Monitor

Ben Caspit

As Trump rebukes Netanyahu over Doha strikes, Rubio talks tactics in Israel

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu must regret that it is US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and not the president visiting Israel this Monday.

15.09.2025 10

Al Monitor

Ben Caspit

Inside Israel's Yemen operation that decapitated Houthi leadership

Since Israel's intelligence began focusing on the Houthi threat in July, efforts to quell the threat from Yemen have grown much more precise.

05.09.2025 9

Al Monitor

Ben Caspit

In accepting Gaza truce proposal, is Hamas setting 'trap' for boxed-in Netanyahu?

Is Hamas really hoping that Israel rejects a deal and goes ahead with the Gaza City offensive, resulting in its further international isolation?

19.08.2025 9

Al Monitor

Ben Caspit

Will Israel seize opportunity for rapprochement with Syria?

Signs indicate that Israel might have a rare opportunity to hold productive dialogue with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and advance a security deal...

11.07.2025 10

Al Monitor

Ben Caspit

With Hamas dismantled, Netanyahu seeks Trump’s green light to strike Iran again

While talks continue in Doha over a possible Gaza ceasefire deal, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is pressuring the US administration to allow...

08.07.2025 10

Al Monitor

Ben Caspit

Euphoric Netanyahu’s push for Iran regime change after US strikes risks ‘anarchy’

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is ecstatic over the Americans striking Iran, but experts are warning the attack might not have fully eliminated...

22.06.2025 10

Al Monitor

Ben Caspit

Europe to offer Iran 'diplomatic solution' to war with Israel

European powers hope to offer a "diplomatic solution" to end the Iran-Israel war at talks in Geneva with Iran's foreign minister, French President...

20.06.2025 10

Al Monitor

Ben Caspit

As Netanyahu pushes Trump to join Iran war, will Israel strike Fordow alone?

Israel needs the United States to join its attack on Iran in order to destroy the nuclear facility at Fordow, but it's also preparing contingency...

20.06.2025 10

Al Monitor

Ben Caspit

Smuggled drones, weapons, and Mossad: Inside Israel’s Iran strikes

With the military campaign still ongoing, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appears set on the difficult, perhaps impossible mission, of fully...

13.06.2025 10

Al Monitor

Ben Caspit

Israeli military poised for ‘order’ to strike as US awaits Iran's reply

If Tehran decides to reject the Washington proposal for a new nuclear deal, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will have to make a decision of his own:...

10.06.2025 9

Al Monitor

Ben Caspit

If Iran rejects Trump’s nuclear deal, will Israel seize moment to strike?

With the Israeli military ready to attack Iranian nuclear sites, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will face a dramatic choice if Tehran rejects the...

03.06.2025 10

Al Monitor

Ben Caspit

As Israel faces 'avalanche' of global criticism, Netanyahu fixated on Trump

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seems to be oblivious to the growing diplomatic isolation Israel is facing and possible repercussions on the...

27.05.2025 10

Al Monitor

Ben Caspit

'It'd be suicidal': Will Israel strike Iran’s nuclear sites without US support?

With Iran's supreme leader skeptical of reaching a nuclear deal with the United States, former Israeli officials doubt the wisdom of Israel striking...

23.05.2025 10

Al Monitor

Ben Caspit

Netanyahu scrambles as Trump skips Israel visit, gap widens on Gaza, Iran

Despite pleas on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s part, President Donald Trump will not pass through Israel during his Gulf tour.

13.05.2025 10

Al Monitor

Ben Caspit

Netanyahu's influence over Trump wanes as US-Iran talks progress

Fear is growing in Israel that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is incapable of shaping the nuclear talks between Washington and Tehran.

22.04.2025 10

Al Monitor

Ben Caspit

As Witkoff hints US won't dismantle Iran nuclear program, Israel fears Trump may settle for 'bad deal'

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu cannot go openly against the nuclear talks with Iran initiated by US President Trump, but he can hope for Tehran to...

15.04.2025 10

Al Monitor

Ben Caspit

Netanyahu unsettled by Trump-Iran talks but Israel maintains military option

Despite President Donald Trump’s announcement of direct talks with Iran, sources describe the chances of a deal as "slim" and predict a tense summer...

08.04.2025 10

Al Monitor

Ben Caspit

As Israel pummels Syria, can it avoid collision course with Turkey?

Israel is concerned not only about the intentions of the new Syrian regime, but also about Turkey's growing presence and influence in the region.

04.04.2025 10

Al Monitor

Ben Caspit

How criticism of Trump may have sunk Netanyahu's Shin Bet nominee

Sen. Lindsey Graham’s objection to Eli Sharvit’s nomination as the new Shin Bet chief may have been a key factor in Prime Minister Benjamin...

01.04.2025 10

Al Monitor

Ben Caspit

Are Lebanon, Syria ripe for peace with Israel or on cusp of more escalation?

While some Israeli leaders hope for normalized ties with Lebanon and Syria, others warn that the uncertainty of the current situation could become...

28.03.2025 10

Al Monitor

Ben Caspit

Emboldened by Trump, Netanyahu is driving Israel into judicial crisis

Empowered by moves in Washington, Prime Minister Netanyahu fired Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar and is pushing for the sacking of Attorney General Gali...

25.03.2025 10

Al Monitor

Ben Caspit

Secret US-Hamas talks shock Israel but will Netanyahu dare challenge Trump?

Israeli officials would have gladly done without the "help," but are staying out of Trump's way, seeing "no stability, no certainty, no way to predict...

07.03.2025 10

Al Monitor

Ben Caspit

With Trump losing interest, Israel likely to buy time, extend phase one of deal

As US envoy Steve Witkoff shifts focus to Russia and Ukraine, the Israel-Hamas deal faces mounting hurdles ahead of phase 2 this Saturday, making it...

28.02.2025 10

Al Monitor

Ben Caspit

Will US-Russia rapprochement increase odds of Israel striking Iran?

Israeli leaders hope the thaw in relations will lead Moscow to stem strategic cooperation with Tehran, leaving Iran vulnerable to an attack on its...

21.02.2025 10

Al Monitor

Ben Caspit

Can Netanyahu rebuff Trump's envoy on Gaza talks as second phase looms?

US special envoy to the region Steve Witkoff is pushing the Netanyahu government to enter talks on the second phase of the deal, which should see the...

18.02.2025 20

Al Monitor

Ben Caspit

Trump, Netanyahu have 'full understanding' on Iran as Israel mulls strikes on nuclear sites

A senior Israeli diplomatic source confirmed to Al-Monitor, on condition of anonymity, that Israel and the United States have reached a “full...

14.02.2025 10

Al Monitor

Ben Caspit

Can Hamas defy Trump's ultimatum as Gaza ceasefire teeters?

Israel is considering introducing a transitional phase to salvage the deal and ensure the continued release of hostages. However, for this to proceed,...

11.02.2025 10

Al Monitor

Ben Caspit

Will Trump's Gaza plan scuttle fragile Israel-Hamas ceasefire?

Strong negative responses to Trump's plan to transfer Palestinians from Gaza may provide Hamas an excuse not to release more hostages, Israeli...

07.02.2025 10

Al Monitor

Ben Caspit

Could Trump’s Gaza plan be negotiating tactic for Saudi-Israel deal?

On a visit to the White House, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu surely didn't imagine that President Donald Trump would propose the United States...

05.02.2025 20

Al Monitor

Ben Caspit

Inside Witkoff's Gaza visit: Trump's envoy assures Israel on next steps

After taking US envoy Steve Witkoff on an "excellent tour" of Gaza, Israeli officials hope he will persuade President Donald Trump of their vision for...

31.01.2025 10

Al Monitor

Ben Caspit

Inside Witkoff's Gaza visit: Trump's envoy assured Israel on next steps

After taking US envoy Steve Witkoff on an "excellent tour" of Gaza, Israeli officials hope he will persuade President Donald Trump of their vision for...

31.01.2025 8

Al Monitor

Ben Caspit

Netanyahu teeters between Trump’s demand to end war, coalition threats

The Israeli right says Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu caved to Hamas by allowing hundreds of thousands of Gazans to return to the north.

28.01.2025 10

Al Monitor

Ben Caspit

With clock ticking in Lebanon and Gaza, are Israel’s ceasefire deals near collapse?

As implementation deadlines approach this Saturday and Sunday, Israel doubts Hamas' ability to meet its obligations and says some Hezbollah...

24.01.2025 10

Al Monitor

Ben Caspit