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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

last updated:

6 January, 2025

Palestinians gather to receive food cooked by a charity kitchen, in Khan Yunis, Gaza Strip. Photo: EPA-EFE

War and conflict

Trump urges Jordan and Egypt to ‘clean out’ Gaza, take in more Palestinians

Calling Gaza ‘a demolition site’, Trump says that he has discussed his vision in a call with King Abdullah II of Jordan.

3 hours ago

Joe Biden

Trump approves supply to Israel of 2,000-pound bombs, ends Biden’s hold

3 hours ago

Israel-Gaza war

Israeli female soldiers freed by Hamas in second Gaza swap

25 Jan 2025 - 8:07PM

United States

US freezes foreign aid after Trump orders review

Waivers have been issued for military financing for Israel and Egypt, but Ukraine was not mentioned.

25 Jan 2025 - 6:57AMvideocam

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks upon arrival at the State Department in Washington on Tuesday. Photo: AFP

Israel-Gaza war

Hamas names four Israeli female soldier hostages to be freed in second swap

Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa, Naama Levy and Liri Albag will be freed in exchange for Palestinian prisoners under the Gaza ceasefire deal.

25 Jan 2025 - 1:36AMvideocam

Israel-Gaza war

Can the Gaza ceasefire hold while Trump attempts to broker Middle East peace?

Analysts say the fragility of the truce agreement and escalating violence in the West Bank threaten US efforts to normalise Arab-Israel ties.

24 Jan 2025 - 1:22PMvideocam

Middle East

Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire set to be extended beyond next week

Negotiations have been taking place on extending the January 27 deadline to ensure the conflict isn’t resumed.

23 Jan 2025 - 3:31PM

A Lebanese soldier patrols in a residential area that was devastated by the war between Israel and Hezbollah, in the southern coastal town of Naqura. Photo: AFP

The Philippines

17 Filipinos, 8 other crew of seized ship freed after 14 months in captivity

The rebels hijacked the Israeli-linked vessel in November 2023 to express solidarity with Gaza.

23 Jan 2025 - 9:59AMvideocam

Middle East

Israel continues ‘significant’ military operation in West Bank, days after Gaza ceasefire

Israel’s prime minister said the West Bank campaign is aimed at Iran-backed militias in the territory.

22 Jan 2025 - 6:46PM

Israel-Gaza war

Israel’s top general resigns over October 7 Hamas attack failures

Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi acknowledges military’s failures, own command responsibility for cross-border assault from Gaza.

22 Jan 2025 - 6:12PMvideocam

Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi in 2024. File photo: Israeli Army via AFP

Donald Trump’s 2025 inauguration

Trump halts US foreign aid for 90 days: what it means for Israel and Ukraine

While the affect on specific programmes remains unclear, the move signals a shift in foreign aid policy under the Trump administration.

21 Jan 2025 - 10:29PMvideocam

US President Donald Trump gestures as he signs executive orders on the inauguration day of his second presidential term, in Washington, on Monday. Photo: Reuters

Israel-Gaza war

After 15 months of war, Hamas still rules over what remains of Gaza

Hamas remains in control of Gaza post-ceasefire, despite heavy losses in Israel’s military campaign.

21 Jan 2025 - 3:58PMvideocam

Donald Trump’s 2025 inauguration

Palestinian president Abbas ‘ready to work’ with Trump on two-state solution

Mahmoud Abbas calls for security and stability in the Middle East in a message to the US president.

21 Jan 2025 - 2:53PMvideocam

Israel-Gaza war

Hamas says next Gaza hostages will be released on Saturday as scheduled

Hamas clarifies date of next hostage-prisoner swap after official says it will be next Sunday.

21 Jan 2025 - 9:14AMvideocam

Palestinian Hamas militants hand over Doron Steinbrecher on Sunday. Photo: Reuters

Israel-Gaza war

Israel-Hamas truce in Gaza holding after first hostage-prisoner swap

China said it ‘welcomes’ Gaza ceasefire as Israel and Hamas begin swapping hostages and prisoners.

20 Jan 2025 - 8:29PMvideocam

Palestinians walk past the rubble of houses and buildings in Jabilia in the northern Gaza Strip. Photo: Reuters

Malaysia

Malaysia prepares to return wounded Palestinians to Gaza after fragile ceasefire

The Palestinians, who were evacuated in August, requested to return home during the current ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.

20 Jan 2025 - 1:56PMvideocam

Israel-Gaza war

Tears and hugs for released Palestinian prisoners as Gaza ceasefire takes hold

Israel releases 90 Palestinian prisoners after Hamas frees three Israeli hostages in Gaza ceasefire deal.

20 Jan 2025 - 2:27PMvideocam

Hong Kong stock market

Hong Kong stocks rise on positive talks between Trump and Xi

Tech blue chips JD.com, Alibaba and Baidu lead gainers, as investors breathe a sigh of relief on potential thawing of US-China relations.

20 Jan 2025 - 4:47PM

Hong Kong stock rose after a positive conversation between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping raised hopes for easing US-China tensions. Photo: Reuters

Israel-Gaza war

Editorial | Fragile ceasefire in Mideast at least offers a glimmer of hope

Tentative truce between Israel and Palestinian groups is a step in the right direction but many hurdles remain before true peace can prevail.

20 Jan 2025 - 6:15AM

Joe Biden

Biden urges Americans to ‘keep the faith’ on his final full day as president

Joe Biden reflects on his political journey in South Carolina, urging Americans to stay hopeful and engaged.

20 Jan 2025 - 11:40AMvideocam

Israel-Gaza war

Hamas frees hostages, Israel releases Palestinian prisoners as Gaza truce begins

Hostage-prisoner swap begins, Gaza residents return to devastated neighbourhoods as ceasefire suspends 15-month-old war.

20 Jan 2025 - 2:25PMvideocam

Released British-Israeli hostage Emily Damari embraces her mother, Mandy. Photo: Israel Defence Forces via Reuters

Israel-Gaza war

Who are the 3 Israelis released on the first day of the Gaza ceasefire?

Emily Damari, Romi Gonen and Doron Steinbrecher were freed in a tense handover to the Red Cross on a Gaza City street on Sunday.

20 Jan 2025 - 2:26PMvideocam

Romi Gonen steps out of a van next to her mother Merav, left, before boarding a helicopter. Photo: AP

Israel-Gaza war

Gazans cheer as ceasefire between Israel and Hamas kicks off

‘I feel like at last I found some water to drink after getting lost in the desert for 15 months. I feel alive again’.

19 Jan 2025 - 7:36PM

Israel-Gaza war

Ceasefire begins, pausing devastating Israel-Gaza war

Many Gazans have now begun the journey home, while Israel waits for hostages due to be released by Hamas.

19 Jan 2025 - 9:23PMvideocam

Israel-Gaza war

Netanyahu says Hamas hasn’t provided hostage list, warns Gaza truce could fail

Israel retains ‘the right to return to fighting if necessary’, the prime minister warned in a speech.

19 Jan 2025 - 7:13AMvideocam

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gives a televised address in Jerusalem on Saturday. Photo: Israeli Government Press Office via AFP

Middle East

Saudi weighs Israel recognition amid Trump’s return and Gaza ceasefire

Riyadh has insisted a Palestinian state must be established before they can agree to recognise Israel.

18 Jan 2025 - 11:43PM

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Photo: AP

Israel-Gaza war

Israel’s full cabinet approves Gaza ceasefire and hostage deal

Lawmakers met well past the beginning of the Jewish Sabbath for the vote, in a reflection of the moment’s importance.

20 Jan 2025 - 12:25PMvideocam

Britain

In Auschwitz, UK’s Starmer vows to fight antisemitism back home

The visit made the UK leader see more clearly than ever before how the industrial-level killing didn’t result from the evil deeds of a few individuals.

18 Jan 2025 - 12:30AM

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