The Times of Israel https://www.timesofisrael.com/writers/avi-issacharoff/ News from Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish World Sun, 19 Jul 2026 23:52:30 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://static-cdn.toi-media.com/www/uploads/2018/11/toi_icon_512-200x200.png Avi Issacharoff | The Times of Israel https://www.timesofisrael.com/writers/avi-issacharoff/ 32 32 Latest flare-up of Gaza border violence leaves Israel with few good options https://www.timesofisrael.com/latest-flare-up-of-gaza-border-violence-leaves-israel-with-few-good-options/ Sun, 22 Aug 2021 23:35:31 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=2604128 Hamas went ahead with mass rally and inevitable riots, even after deal to resupply Qatari funds; Bennett, just like his predecessor, has to carefully gauge Israel's response

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]]> Lebanon is sliding back to the Stone Age, and Iran couldn’t be happier about it https://www.timesofisrael.com/lebanon-is-sliding-back-to-the-stone-age-and-iran-couldnt-be-happier-about-it/ Sun, 01 Aug 2021 06:02:42 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=2591787 Israel's northern neighbor is facing water, electricity and medicine shortages and its prospective new government won't weaken Hezbollah; will the PA suffer a similar disaster?

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]]> With Lebanon in dire straits, Hezbollah seeks to cast Iran as country’s savior https://www.timesofisrael.com/with-lebanon-in-dire-straits-hezbollah-seeks-to-cast-iran-as-countrys-savior/ Thu, 08 Jul 2021 11:33:12 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=2578551 Amid near-complete economic and political collapse, Tehran-backed terror group increases its hold on Lebanon and could try to have Islamic Republic fill the power vacuum

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]]> Why Hamas (most of all) and Netanyahu (for now) are the winners of this mini-war https://www.timesofisrael.com/why-hamas-most-of-all-and-netanyahu-for-now-are-the-winners-of-this-mini-war/ Fri, 21 May 2021 02:04:36 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=2549511 The losers, needless to say, are the citizens of Gaza and Israel, as the Islamist terror group makes strategic gains beyond even its own expectations

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]]> While Israel makes tactical gains, Hamas is proving the strategic victor https://www.timesofisrael.com/while-israel-makes-tactical-gains-hamas-is-proving-the-strategic-victor/ Sat, 15 May 2021 13:47:38 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=2544810 Four insights into a conflict which highlights that Israel's 12-year policy of seeking to placate the Gaza monster must change

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]]> Hamas thinks Israel will want to end this conflict quickly; it could be wrong https://www.timesofisrael.com/hamas-thinks-israel-will-want-to-end-this-conflict-quickly-it-could-be-wrong/ Tue, 11 May 2021 10:17:35 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=2540816 The terror group got its 'victory pictures' but has no exit plan for the violence it started, Gaza is paying a heavy price, and Netanyahu may not rush to end the IDF counterstrikes

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]]> The Jerusalem butterfly effect: What Hamas stands to gain from Gaza rocket fire https://www.timesofisrael.com/the-jerusalem-butterfly-effect-what-hamas-stands-to-gain-from-gaza-rocket-fire/ Sun, 25 Apr 2021 03:32:42 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=2529923 The terror group's controlled escalation in the south sends a clear message to Israel over Jewish extremists' actions in the capital, while bolstering its credentials internally

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]]> Barghouti calls for Palestinian leadership primaries as heat turns up for Israel https://www.timesofisrael.com/barghouti-calls-for-palestinian-leadership-primaries-as-heat-turns-up-for-israel/ Sun, 21 Feb 2021 00:08:54 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=2492159 Terrorist jailed by Israel for murder challenges Abbas; if he wins, it could put the Jewish state in a serious bind

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]]> Iran trying to deepen roots in Syria despite signs it may no longer be welcome https://www.timesofisrael.com/iran-trying-to-deepen-roots-in-syria-despite-signs-it-may-no-longer-be-welcome/ Thu, 14 Jan 2021 14:59:24 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=2466654 An article from an Assad ally suggests that Damascus may be looking to shift away from the Shiite axis even as Tehran tries to build up local support with Lebanon-style project

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]]> Iran’s options to hit Israel for nuke chief’s killing reach far beyond Hezbollah https://www.timesofisrael.com/irans-options-to-hit-israel-for-nuke-chiefs-killing-reach-far-beyond-hezbollah/ Sat, 12 Dec 2020 03:39:42 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=2446282 The Lebanese terror group may be keen to stay out of the fight, but precision rocket tech is reaching Gaza, and accurate cruise missiles are within the grasp of groups in Iraq

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]]> Creeping in through Syria, Iran is just a border fence away from Israel https://www.timesofisrael.com/creeping-in-through-syria-iran-is-just-a-border-fence-away-from-israel/ Sat, 28 Nov 2020 00:04:32 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=2437623 Via its proxy Lebanese Hezbollah terror group, Tehran has all but succeeded in opening a second front against the Jewish state; in Gaza, Hamas wields coronavirus to deflect unrest

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]]> Biden’s victory prompts great expectations in Ramallah, quite possibly too great https://www.timesofisrael.com/bidens-victory-prompts-great-expectations-in-ramallah-quite-possibly-too-great/ Fri, 13 Nov 2020 11:22:12 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=2428774 PA is anticipating a possible White House invite for Abbas, the reopening of its DC offices, and resumed aid. It may be over-confident, and there's a two-month transition first

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]]> Israel-Arab accords an earthquake for Palestinians, who now pin hopes on Biden https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-arab-accords-an-earthquake-for-palestinians-who-pin-their-hopes-on-biden/ Fri, 30 Oct 2020 07:54:43 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=2418341 Sudan deal has deepened the shock in Ramallah, which is digging in despite impatience among erstwhile Sunni supporters. The Palestinians aren't going anywhere, but the PA might be

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]]> Twenty years since the Al-Aqsa Intifada, what do Palestinians hope for now https://www.timesofisrael.com/twenty-years-since-the-al-aqsa-intifada-what-do-palestinians-hope-for-now/ Fri, 02 Oct 2020 09:54:01 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=2399863 Optimism generated by the Oslo Accords has long since given way to grave pessimism regarding the possibility of ever resolving the conflict

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]]> Abbas plays a misguided waiting game, as Hamas eyes his presidency https://www.timesofisrael.com/abbas-plays-a-misguided-waiting-game-as-hamas-eyes-his-presidency/ Sat, 19 Sep 2020 05:38:03 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=2390726 After the Abraham Accords 'betrayal,' PA head is apparently betting things will improve with a president Biden or 2nd-term Trump. But the Palestinian public has had its fill of him

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