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Israel

The latest news, analysis and opinion on Israel. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

Capital

Jerusalem

Head of State

President Isaac Herzog

Head of Government

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

A naval vessel sails in the Strait of Hormuz on March 1. Photo: AFP/Getty Images/TNS

Japan

Trump wants Japanese warships in Hormuz. Can Takaichi ‘dodge the bullet’?

The Iran war complicates Trump-Takaichi talks, putting her in a bind between US demands and constitutional limits on military action.

2 minutes agovideocam

War and conflict

Opinion | Hong Kong should work to ensure a steady fuel supply amid war in Iran

47 minutes ago

US, Israel war on Iran

Trump warns Nato faces ‘bad future’ if allies fail to help US in opening Hormuz

3 minutes agovideocam

ICBMs

Exclusive | Why Iran war may drive East Asia nuclear race, hit China in Mideast: Zhao Tong

Carnegie nuclear policy expert says law of the jungle signalled by US actions could spur more countries to pursue nuclear weapons.

2 hours agovideocam

Middle East

Opinion | How US-Israel war on Iran rocks foundations of the Abraham Accords

For Arab states, the conflict has revealed a paradox: the alliances meant to enhance their security may also have increased their vulnerability.

3 hours agovideocam

Israel-Iran conflict

Police arrest 12 as hundreds join banned pro-Palestinian march in London

Interior Minister Shabana Mahmood agreed to ban the march after police said it was organised by a group ‘supportive of the Iranian regime’.

4 hours ago

Israel-Gaza war

Gaza’s Rafah crossing to open on Wednesday ‘for limited movement of people’

Move comes as 13 people were killed – including children, a pregnant woman and police officers – in Israeli strikes in Gaza on Sunday.

5 hours agovideocam

Egyptian ambulances go through the Rafah border crossing on the Egyptian side in Rafah, Egypt on February 10. On Sunday, Israel said the crossing will open on Wednesday for limited movement of people in both directions. Photo: Reuters

Gun violence in the US

Brother of Michigan synagogue attacker was Hezbollah commander: Israeli military

Ibrahim Ghazali was killed in Lebanon on March 5 along with 3 other relatives of Detroit attacker Ayman Mohamad Ghazali, the IDF said.

16 Mar 2026 - 1:12AM

US, Israel war on Iran

IEA says oil from emergency stocks to flow in Asia and Oceania immediately

The International Energy Agency also said barrels for Europe and the Americas will only be available from the end of March.

16 Mar 2026 - 12:19AMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

US energy chief signals Iran war could continue for several more weeks

Meanwhile, Iran’s FM said his nation was not interested in talks with the US ‘because we were talking when they decided to attack us’.

15 Mar 2026 - 11:50PMvideocam

A fire and plume of smoke rise on Saturday after, authorities say, debris from an intercepted Iranian drone struck an oil facility in Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates. Photo: AP

US, Israel war on Iran

‘Cease fire’! Pope Leo escalates call for Middle East war to end

The pope did not cite the US or Israel by name but did mention the strike on a school in Iran that killed over 165 people.

15 Mar 2026 - 10:40PMvideocam

Pope Leo leads prayers from a window at the Vatican on Sunday. Photo: Handout via Reuters

US, Israel war on Iran

Over 800,000 Lebanese – 1 in 7 people – displaced by war in 10 days

It is little more than a year since the last conflict uprooted over a million Lebanese from their homes, although that process took months.

15 Mar 2026 - 10:05PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

‘Black rain’: Iran war’s toxic pollution will spread and last for years

Missiles and bombs contain pollutants which are released into the air, soil and water when they explode and crash, posing many health risks.

15 Mar 2026 - 6:25PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

To help Middle East nations fight drones, Ukraine wants cash and tech

This is about ⁠protection and a full assessment of how to counter Shahed drones, says Zelensky, after Kyiv dispatched dozens of experts.

15 Mar 2026 - 5:34PMvideocam

A Ukraine-made drone equipped with a high-performance camera. Kyiv downs Russian drones every night, including through the use of cheaper, smaller drones. File photo: Kyodo

Crime in Hong Kong

Terrorism threat in Hong Kong ‘moderate’ amid Middle East war: security chief

Secretary for Security Chris Tang says city has one of world’s lowest crime rates despite having fewer CCTV cameras compared with other places.

15 Mar 2026 - 6:52PM

Hong Kong residents are urged to remain vigilant and report anything suspicious to police. Photo: Dickson Lee

Indonesia

Prabowo ‘surprised’ by Iran war, says US bombing won’t spark regime change

The president says he does not see any ‘rationality’ in the military campaign, urging all sides to ‘look for the peaceful option’ to end the war.

15 Mar 2026 - 2:49PMvideocam

Hong Kong economy

Middle East conflict could divert new capital to Hong Kong: treasury chief

Christopher Hui pledges to keep markets operating smoothly amid energy price shocks caused by US-Israel war against Iran.

15 Mar 2026 - 7:25PM

US, Israel war on Iran

Turkey says Iran feels ‘betrayed’ by US attacks during nuclear talks

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan says Tehran still ‘open to any sensible backchannel diplomacy’, vows to keep Ankara out of the war.

15 Mar 2026 - 11:15AMvideocam

Iranian Red Crescent aid workers and firefighters work at a residential site damaged by strikes in Tehran’s Javadiyeh district on Saturday. Photo: Iranian Red Crescent Society via Reuters

Hong Kong society

Playing the harp amid sirens: why a Hongkonger refuses to flee the Middle East

Church worker Gloria Mok landed in Israel days before fighting erupted, but plans to stay to complete her three-month Hebrew course.

15 Mar 2026 - 4:28PM

US, Israel war on Iran

Israel may commit ‘new genocide’ in Lebanon with Iran as pretext, Turkey warns

Lebanon was dragged into the conflict when Iran-backed Hezbollah attacked Israel in response to the killing of Supreme Leader Khamenei.

15 Mar 2026 - 1:40AMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran war entering ‘decisive phase’, Israel says, as attacks continue

Washington’s embassy in Iraq was hit by a drone, while clouds of black smoke rose over the Fujairah energy facility in the UAE.

14 Mar 2026 - 11:51PM

Smoke rises in the Fujairah oil industry zone, caused by debris after interception of a drone by air defences, according to the Fujairah media office, amid the US-Israel conflict with Iran, in Fujairah, the United Arab Emirates, on Saturday. Photo: Reuters

US, Israel war on Iran

UN chief says ‘diplomatic avenues are available’ to end war in Lebanon

Antonio Guterres has also urged support for the Lebanese government, which last year committed to disarming Hezbollah.

14 Mar 2026 - 11:29PMvideocam

A destroyed healthcare centre building in the aftermath of an Israeli strike in the southern Lebanese town of Burj Qalawiya on Saturday. Photo: AFP

Yuan

Will China’s yuan lift Strait of Hormuz blockade? Analysts urge caution

The world’s most vital energy artery has been largely paralysed since the launch of US-Israeli strikes on Iran last month.

14 Mar 2026 - 9:09PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Hamas calls on Iran to ‘avoid targeting neighbouring countries’

The Palestinian Islamist group also urges the international community to ‘work towards halting’ the ongoing war immediately.

14 Mar 2026 - 7:30PMvideocam

India

‘There is a lot of anxiety’: Indian sailors stranded off Iran just want to go home

About 23,000 Indians work on merchant, harbour and offshore vessels across ‌the Gulf region, and their safety has become a big issue at home.

14 Mar 2026 - 6:30PMvideocam

An LPG gas tanker at anchor as traffic is down in the Strait of Hormuz, amid the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, in Shinas, Oman, on Friday. Photo: Reuters

US, Israel war on Iran

‘Race against time’: aid groups warn of humanitarian crisis in Lebanon

Aid workers are scrambling to respond to the growing numbers of people seeking help, as the Israel-Hezbollah conflict intensifies.

14 Mar 2026 - 5:50PM

A displaced child sits inside a roadside tent by the sea, following an escalation between Hezbollah and Israel amid the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, in Beirut, Lebanon, on Friday. Photo: Reuters

US, Israel war on Iran

Macroscope | Trump hasn’t counted on financial blowback from his war with Iran

As Washington fights a war with global economic ramifications, allies may soon begin to reassess their financial support of US coffers.

14 Mar 2026 - 6:50PM

Hong Kong transport

Hong Kong to boost direct flights, transfer capacity amid Middle East turmoil

Transport chief Mable Chan says authorities ‘seizing opportunity’ presented by aviation disruption to coordinate with local airlines.

14 Mar 2026 - 8:00PM

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Israel

Trump wants Japanese warships in Hormuz. Can Takaichi ‘dodge the bullet’?

The Iran war complicates Trump-Takaichi talks, putting her in a bind between US demands and constitutional limits on military action.

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}Opinion | Hong Kong should work to ensure a steady fuel supply amid war in Iran

Trump warns Nato faces ‘bad future’ if allies fail to help US in opening Hormuz

.css-sioo19{color:#c79a00;}Exclusive | Why Iran war may drive East Asia nuclear race, hit China in Mideast: Zhao Tong

Carnegie nuclear policy expert says law of the jungle signalled by US actions could spur more countries to pursue nuclear weapons.

Opinion | How US-Israel war on Iran rocks foundations of the Abraham Accords

For Arab states, the conflict has revealed a paradox: the alliances meant to enhance their security may also have increased their vulnerability.

Police arrest 12 as hundreds join banned pro-Palestinian march in London

Interior Minister Shabana Mahmood agreed to ban the march after police said it was organised by a group ‘supportive of the Iranian regime’.

Gaza’s Rafah crossing to open on Wednesday ‘for limited movement of people’

Move comes as 13 people were killed – including children, a pregnant woman and police officers – in Israeli strikes in Gaza on Sunday.

Brother of Michigan synagogue attacker was Hezbollah commander: Israeli military

Ibrahim Ghazali was killed in Lebanon on March 5 along with 3 other relatives of Detroit attacker Ayman Mohamad Ghazali, the IDF said.

IEA says oil from emergency stocks to flow in Asia and Oceania immediately

The International Energy Agency also said barrels for Europe and the Americas will only be available from the end of March.

US energy chief signals Iran war could continue for several more weeks

Meanwhile, Iran’s FM said his nation was not interested in talks with the US ‘because we were talking when they decided to attack us’.

‘Cease fire’! Pope Leo escalates call for Middle East war to end

The pope did not cite the US or Israel by name but did mention the strike on a school in Iran that killed over 165 people.

Over 800,000 Lebanese – 1 in 7 people – displaced by war in 10 days

It is little more than a year since the last conflict uprooted over a million Lebanese from their homes, although that process took months.

‘Black rain’: Iran war’s toxic pollution will spread and last for years

Missiles and bombs contain pollutants which are released into the air, soil and water when they explode and crash, posing many health risks.

To help Middle East nations fight drones, Ukraine wants cash and tech

This is about ⁠protection and a full assessment of how to counter Shahed drones, says Zelensky, after Kyiv dispatched dozens of experts.

Terrorism threat in Hong Kong ‘moderate’ amid Middle East war: security chief

Secretary for Security Chris Tang says city has one of world’s lowest crime rates despite having fewer CCTV cameras compared with other places.

Prabowo ‘surprised’ by Iran war, says US bombing won’t spark regime change

The president says he does not see any ‘rationality’ in the military campaign, urging all sides to ‘look for the peaceful option’ to end the war.

Middle East conflict could divert new capital to Hong Kong: treasury chief

Christopher Hui pledges to keep markets operating smoothly amid energy price shocks caused by US-Israel war against Iran.

Turkey says Iran feels ‘betrayed’ by US attacks during nuclear talks

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan says Tehran still ‘open to any sensible backchannel diplomacy’, vows to keep Ankara out of the war.

Playing the harp amid sirens: why a Hongkonger refuses to flee the Middle East

Church worker Gloria Mok landed in Israel days before fighting erupted, but plans to stay to complete her three-month Hebrew course.

Israel may commit ‘new genocide’ in Lebanon with Iran as pretext, Turkey warns

Lebanon was dragged into the conflict when Iran-backed Hezbollah attacked Israel in response to the killing of Supreme Leader Khamenei.

Iran war entering ‘decisive phase’, Israel says, as attacks continue

Washington’s embassy in Iraq was hit by a drone, while clouds of black smoke rose over the Fujairah energy facility in the UAE.

UN chief says ‘diplomatic avenues are available’ to end war in Lebanon

Antonio Guterres has also urged support for the Lebanese government, which last year committed to disarming Hezbollah.

Will China’s yuan lift Strait of Hormuz blockade? Analysts urge caution

The world’s most vital energy artery has been largely paralysed since the launch of US-Israeli strikes on Iran last month.

Hamas calls on Iran to ‘avoid targeting neighbouring countries’

The Palestinian Islamist group also urges the international community to ‘work towards halting’ the ongoing war immediately.

‘There is a lot of anxiety’: Indian sailors stranded off Iran just want to go home

About 23,000 Indians work on merchant, harbour and offshore vessels across ‌the Gulf region, and their safety has become a big issue at home.

‘Race against time’: aid groups warn of humanitarian crisis in Lebanon

Aid workers are scrambling to respond to the growing numbers of people seeking help, as the Israel-Hezbollah conflict intensifies.

Macroscope | Trump hasn’t counted on financial blowback from his war with Iran

As Washington fights a war with global economic ramifications, allies may soon begin to reassess their financial support of US coffers.

Hong Kong to boost direct flights, transfer capacity amid Middle East turmoil

Transport chief Mable Chan says authorities ‘seizing opportunity’ presented by aviation disruption to coordinate with local airlines.

Opinion | Hong Kong should work to ensure a steady fuel supply amid war in Iran

Exclusive | Why Iran war may drive East Asia nuclear race, hit China in Mideast: Zhao Tong