Signals from the Gulf: What Israel is watching

U.S. President Donald Trump's upcoming visit to the Gulf, which notably bypasses Israel, has triggered fresh anxieties amongst several Israelis about their standing in Washington's strategic priorities, Reuters reported on Monday.

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Here's a breakdown of what's happening and why it matters.

WHAT'S CAUSING THE CURRENT CONCERN IN ISRAEL? Trump's decision to skip Israel during his Middle East tour — which includes Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates — has raised eyebrows in Jerusalem, the report said, adding that the move follows a string of developments that have unsettled Israeli officials: U.S. talks with Hamas led to the pending release of U.S.-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander, but they excluded Israel from the negotiation process. The announcement came just after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced an expanded military operation in Gaza. Trump suddenly halted U.S. airstrikes on Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen, days after a Houthi missile struck near Israel's main international airport. According to the Reuters report, these decisions have been interpreted by many in Israel as signs that U.S. priorities may be shifting away from traditional support for Israel.