The Times of Israel https://www.timesofisrael.com/writers/michael-bachner/ News from Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish World Mon, 13 Jul 2026 09:24:40 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://static-cdn.toi-media.com/www/uploads/2018/11/toi_icon_512-200x200.png Michael Bachner | The Times of Israel https://www.timesofisrael.com/writers/michael-bachner/ 32 32 US strikes Iran again, after IRGC attacks ship in Hormuz and declares strait closed https://www.timesofisrael.com/us-strikes-iran-again-after-irgc-attacks-ship-in-hormuz-and-declares-strait-closed-until-further-notice/ Sun, 12 Jul 2026 03:52:57 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3859351 Tehran attacks American base in Jordan, appears to also target Gulf states in response to US striking coastal areas near waterway; Iran has previously threatened to attack Israel if US strikes persist

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]]> July 10: Countries must reject Iranian efforts to control Hormuz, UN agency document says https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog-july-10-2026/ Thu, 09 Jul 2026 23:41:29 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3858442 Iran negotiator Ghalibaf says it’s ready for ‘all-out defense,’ won’t surrender * US withdraws stealth fighter jets from Israeli airbase * After right-wing pundit urged probe of rival channel, Shin Bet denies meeting impacted decision

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]]> July 9: Netanyahu speaks with Trump about US strikes on Iran, Erdogan https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog-july-09-2026/ Wed, 08 Jul 2026 22:57:26 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3857760 Group of US Senate Democrats urges block on defense spending bill over clauses deepening Israel ties * Rioters in Haredi area of Jerusalem assault cops during minor’s arrest

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]]> Eisenkot launches election campaign, vows to unify after ‘chaos’ wrought by current government https://www.timesofisrael.com/eisenkot-launches-election-campaign-vows-to-unify-after-chaos-wrought-by-current-government/ Tue, 30 Jun 2026 20:41:31 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3852843 Netanyahu's likely main rival, whose background starkly contrasts with PM's, pledges to form Oct. 7 state inquiry, broaden IDF ranks, cap reserve service, and be a PM 'for all Israeli citizens'

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]]> June 28: After Iran drone attack, Qatar says citizen killed from shrapnel due to ‘military operations’ https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog-june-28-2026/ Sun, 28 Jun 2026 00:08:52 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3851194 IDF blows up major Hezbollah tunnel, after US pressure previously prevented demolition * Israel-Lebanon security annex preserves full IDF freedom of action in security zone -- source

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]]> June 25: Gaza coordination hub to reportedly undergo overhaul; Georgia, Vietnam in talks to send troops to ISF https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog-june-25-2026/ Wed, 24 Jun 2026 23:29:47 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3849415 Gulf FMs say Iran's proxies, missiles must be addressed for 'lasting' peace * Netanyahu touts war gains at IDF officers' ceremony, draws cheers and jeers from crowd

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]]> June 22: ZAKA organization says Jewish man critically wounded in Montreal shooting https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog-june-22-2026/ Mon, 22 Jun 2026 01:59:28 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3847309&preview=true&preview_id=3847309 Contradicting Vance, Iran claims it made no new nuclear-related commitments in Swiss talks * Trump: If Tehran doesn’t live up to agreement, 'I will do what I have to do'

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]]> June 15: Netanyahu says he saved Israel from annihilation, insists freedom of operation retained in Lebanon https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog-june-15-2026/ Mon, 15 Jun 2026 01:54:34 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3842936&preview=true&preview_id=3842936 PM rejects comparisons to Obama’s 2015 pact with Tehran * Bennett: Iran regime will only fall after Israeli leadership change * Fighting between IDF and Hezbollah persists in Lebanon

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]]> Turkey, Saudi Arabia agree on major regional railway line bypassing Israel https://www.timesofisrael.com/turkey-saudi-arabia-agree-on-major-regional-railway-line-bypassing-israel/ Wed, 10 Jun 2026 08:41:33 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3840092 Ankara touts deal that would curb Jerusalem's influence, as lack of Israeli-Saudi normalization stalls progress on an India-Europe trade corridor passing through Jewish state

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]]> June 8: IDF issues evacuation order for area near Lebanon’s Tyre as it strikes Hezbollah https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog-june-8-2026/ Sun, 07 Jun 2026 23:51:57 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3838503 Trump says he had warned Netanyahu Israel could be left alone if it escalated Iran fight * PM says Iran attacks halted ‘for now,’ Israel will strike Tehran and Hezbollah if attacked again, as Katz says Beirut will be hit if terror group targets Israel

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]]> Ombudsman penalizes Likud, Labor for irregularities in their financial reports for 2024 https://www.timesofisrael.com/ombudsman-penalizes-likud-labor-for-irregularities-in-their-financial-reports-for-2024/ Tue, 02 Jun 2026 13:15:00 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3834267 State comptroller says ruling party has inadequate oversight over membership fees; report finds 10 current parties and 9 defunct parties owe the state a total of some $45 million

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]]> June 2: IDF says dozens of Hezbollah members hiding in Christian area of Tyre, warns they aren’t safe there https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog-june-02-2026/ Mon, 01 Jun 2026 22:51:50 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3834717 Fresh round of Israel-Lebanon talks held in DC, as 4 IDF troops hurt by Hezbollah drone * Netanyahu announces $4.5 billion to strengthen war-battered north, after arriving late to low-attendance government meeting on matter

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]]> May 26: Rubio promotes aide who helped broker Israel-Lebanon talks to top White House national security post https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog-may-26-2026/ Tue, 26 May 2026 02:19:11 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3830545&preview=true&preview_id=3830545 US said to tell Israel not to strike Beirut in expanded op against Hezbollah to avoid harming Iran talks * Trump to hold cabinet meeting tomorrow to discuss Iran, as Rubio says talks will take several more days

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]]> Netanyahu concedes he bears some responsibility for Oct. 7, but says ‘everyone’ shares it https://www.timesofisrael.com/netanyahu-concedes-he-bears-some-responsibility-for-oct-7-but-says-everyone-shares-it/ Mon, 11 May 2026 06:25:55 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3820697 'The real issue' is what's happened since, PM tells CBS’s '60 Minutes’; says Iran regime’s fall isn’t guaranteed; admits ‘we’ve not done well on propaganda war,' calls claim Israel is hostile to Christians an ‘incredible fabrication’

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]]> Ex-spy Jonathan Pollard says he’s entering politics, slams Netanyahu and Bennett https://www.timesofisrael.com/ex-spy-jonathan-pollard-says-hes-entering-politics-slams-netanyahu-and-bennett/ Tue, 05 May 2026 16:06:35 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3816920 Citing October 7 as reason for entering politics, Pollard says the current government is full of yes-men to Netanyahu, who failed to win the war; urges forcibly expelling Gazans

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