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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

During a visit to China last week, Israeli diplomat Aviv Ezra said he was “very optimistic” about the future of bilateral ties with China. Photo: Shutterstock

China-Middle East relations

Israeli diplomat Aviv Ezra says ties with China must not be marred by ‘politics’

Highest level official to visit China since Gaza war highlights opportunities for China and Israel to advance ties as peace deal progresses.

7 Feb 2026 - 8:00PMvideocam

United States

Pentagon ditches Harvard as Hegseth declares university too ‘woke’

7 Feb 2026 - 4:00PMvideocam

India

India’s trade blitz seeks to keep a sinking global order afloat

2 hours ago

Iran

Oman mediates Iran-US nuclear talks amid tensions and Trump’s threats

The meeting is the first between the two sides since Washington joined Israel’s war with Tehran in June with strikes on nuclear sites.

6 Feb 2026 - 10:42PMvideocam

Officials stand inside the gate of a palace where Iran and the US held their talks in Muscat, Oman, on Friday. Photo: AP

Israel-Gaza war

Gaza’s violent reality: hundreds have been killed since October ceasefire

At least 556 Palestinians have died in Israeli strikes, while four Israeli soldiers have been killed in the same period.

5 Feb 2026 - 2:35PM

Science

Nasa’s Juno finds Jupiter is a tiny bit smaller than previously thought

The robotic spacecraft was launched in 2011 and has been orbiting ‍the gas giant since 2016, transmitting raw data back to Earth.

5 Feb 2026 - 4:02AMvideocam

Israel-Gaza war

‘Where is the ceasefire?’: Israeli strikes kill 21 Palestinians in Gaza

More than 530 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire since an October ceasefire, as Gaza health officials decry the ‘continued genocidal war’.

4 Feb 2026 - 8:35PM

Palestinians carry the bodies of three people killed in an Israeli strike on their displacement tent on Wednesday. Photo: dpa

Donald Trump

Iran plans nuclear talks with US as Trump warns of ‘bad things’

Facing threats of potential US military action, Tehran agrees to a Friday meeting in Istanbul on its nuclear programme.

3 Feb 2026 - 6:56PM

Israel-Gaza war

Gaza’s Rafah crossing sees ‘limited’ reopening amid truce, but challenges remain

Restoring the Rafah-Egypt crossing is a vital milestone for the peace process, concluding the long closure enforced by the Israeli military.

2 Feb 2026 - 7:49PM

United States

My Take | How to prevent war with China: return Taiwan to the mainland

Beijing has a far more legitimate claim over Taiwan than the US and Israel have over any strip of land in the western hemisphere and Palestine.

1 Feb 2026 - 9:00PM

People take photos of Taiwan’s flag during a daily ceremony on December 30, 2025. Photo: Reuters

China-Middle East relations

Israel’s China envoy calls to deepen historical ties in rare media outreach

Eli Belotserkovsky’s article comes amid global buzz over Trump’s Board of Peace and months after closer media ties pledge with Xinhua head.

1 Feb 2026 - 7:29PMvideocam

Eli Belotserkovsky, Israel’s ambassador to China, has written a Chinese-language article for state news agency Xinhua. Photo: Handout

India

India calls Modi’s Israel visit mention in Epstein email ‘trashy ruminations’

The foreign ministry acknowledged the 2017 trip but said the rest of the claims ‘deserve to be dismissed with the utmost contempt’.

1 Feb 2026 - 1:34PM

Israel-Iran conflict

Gas leak behind deadly Iran blast that stoked fears of US or Israeli attack

The explosion highlighted the jittery mood ‍prevailing in the country, as Trump threatens strikes and says a US ‘armada’ is on its way.

1 Feb 2026 - 1:26AM

Israel-Gaza war

Israeli strikes on Gaza kill 30, including children at tent camp: hospitals

The latest fatalities came hours before the Rafah crossing, on Gaza’s border with Egypt, was due to open.

31 Jan 2026 - 11:54PMvideocam

A view of an explosion during an Israeli airstrike that targeted the Ghaith camp, which shelters displaced people, in the southern Gaza Strip on Saturday. Photo: EPA

Middle East

US approves US$16 billion arms sale to Israel, Saudi Arabia

The State Department says that none of the new sales will affect the military balance in the Middle East.

31 Jan 2026 - 10:25AMvideocam

A Palestinian man carries his shopping past Israeli security forces during in Kafr Aqab in the Israeli-occupied West Bank on Wednesday. Photo: AFP

Spain

Chinese hair salon owner arrested in Barcelona for funding Hamas via crypto

The 38-year-old Chinese national faces terror financing charges after allegedly laundering US$715,000 via cryptocurrency to the militant group.

31 Jan 2026 - 12:31AM

Israel-Gaza war

Israel offers ‘limited’ Rafah reopening after nearly 2-year Gaza border shutdown

The reopening is part of phase two of the US ceasefire. Previously, it was Gaza’s main crossing for people and trade with Egypt.

30 Jan 2026 - 9:39PM

Middle East

US envoys to Israel blocked ‘apocalyptic’ Gaza warning in 2024: report

Leaked reports reveal US diplomats killed internal memos detailing dead bodies and famine in Gaza to avoid a ‘lack of balance’ in policy.

30 Jan 2026 - 7:43PM

Palestinians walk through the destruction left by the Israeli air and ground offensive in April 2024. Photo: AP

Science

China, Israel continue to collaborate in science and tech despite unrest in Gaza

While Beijing supports Palestine and has a fractious relationship with Tel Aviv’s closest ally, cutting-edge innovations keep them together.

30 Jan 2026 - 5:00PMvideocam

Middle East

‘They are trying to inject fear’: Iran rounding up thousands after crackdown

Security forces reportedly use unofficial warehouses and secret lock-ups as activists say arrests stand at more than 42,000.

30 Jan 2026 - 1:46PM

Middle East

Trump warns Iran of ‘far worse’ attack as US warships approach

US president issues ultimatum for a nuclear deal as Iran vows to resist any American attack.

29 Jan 2026 - 7:23PM

A Boeing EA-18G Growler on the flight deck of the USS Abraham Lincoln in the Indian Ocean on January 21. Photo: US Navy via AP

Israel-Gaza war

Unicef delivers school kits to Gaza after 2.5-year Israel blockade

Thousands of school kits reach Gaza as Unicef confirms Israel lifts blockade that left children learning without pencils or books.

27 Jan 2026 - 8:38PM

Students attend a class at Al-Shamal Educational School, located just 100 metres from the “Yellow Line” in Jabalia Refugee Camp on January 12. Photo: Xinhua

Indonesia

Peace or chaos? Indonesia’s participation in Trump-led board stirs debate

Critics say the decision runs contrary to Jakarta’s support for Palestine and decades-old foreign policy strategy of multilateralism.

27 Jan 2026 - 5:52PMvideocam

Israel-Gaza war

Israel recovers final hostage remains, key for next phase of Gaza truce

Returning all hostages has been central to the Gaza ceasefire. Gvili’s family urged Israel to delay phase two until his remains are returned.

27 Jan 2026 - 8:15AM

Hong Kong property

Mainland Chinese investor snaps up Hong Kong luxury home for US$22 million

Mid-Levels West deal highlights continued strong demand for Hong Kong’s trophy homes, driven largely by mainland Chinese buyers.

28 Jan 2026 - 12:33PM

High Peak is a low-density luxury development at No 23 Po Shan Road in Mid-Levels West. Photo: Google Maps

Israel-Gaza war

Israel launches ‘large-scale operation’ to locate last hostage in Gaza

Israel’s Netanyahu conditions the opening of Gaza’s vital southern border on the recovery of Ran Gvili’s remains.

26 Jan 2026 - 1:47PM

People hold signs with a photo of Ran Gvili, during a rally in Tel Aviv, Israel on Friday. Photo: AP

Saudi Arabia

‘Anything can happen’: Saudi-UAE rift risks tearing Middle East apart

The Gulf neighbours have turned from friends to foes, fighting proxy wars across the region and forcing global powers to pick a side.

25 Jan 2026 - 4:00PM

Israel-Gaza war

Israel to empty Gaza of Palestinians with ‘more out than in’ policy: sources

As the Rafah crossing reopens next week, sources say Israel aims for a net outflow of Palestinians by blocking returns, raising fears of forced exile.

23 Jan 2026 - 10:07PM

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Israel

Israeli diplomat Aviv Ezra says ties with China must not be marred by ‘politics’

Highest level official to visit China since Gaza war highlights opportunities for China and Israel to advance ties as peace deal progresses.

Pentagon ditches Harvard as Hegseth declares university too ‘woke’

India’s trade blitz seeks to keep a sinking global order afloat

Oman mediates Iran-US nuclear talks amid tensions and Trump’s threats

The meeting is the first between the two sides since Washington joined Israel’s war with Tehran in June with strikes on nuclear sites.

Gaza’s violent reality: hundreds have been killed since October ceasefire

At least 556 Palestinians have died in Israeli strikes, while four Israeli soldiers have been killed in the same period.

Nasa’s Juno finds Jupiter is a tiny bit smaller than previously thought

The robotic spacecraft was launched in 2011 and has been orbiting ‍the gas giant since 2016, transmitting raw data back to Earth.

‘Where is the ceasefire?’: Israeli strikes kill 21 Palestinians in Gaza

More than 530 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire since an October ceasefire, as Gaza health officials decry the ‘continued genocidal war’.

Iran plans nuclear talks with US as Trump warns of ‘bad things’

Facing threats of potential US military action, Tehran agrees to a Friday meeting in Istanbul on its nuclear programme.

Gaza’s Rafah crossing sees ‘limited’ reopening amid truce, but challenges remain

Restoring the Rafah-Egypt crossing is a vital milestone for the peace process, concluding the long closure enforced by the Israeli military.

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}My Take | How to prevent war with China: return Taiwan to the mainland

Beijing has a far more legitimate claim over Taiwan than the US and Israel have over any strip of land in the western hemisphere and Palestine.

Israel’s China envoy calls to deepen historical ties in rare media outreach

Eli Belotserkovsky’s article comes amid global buzz over Trump’s Board of Peace and months after closer media ties pledge with Xinhua head.

India calls Modi’s Israel visit mention in Epstein email ‘trashy ruminations’

The foreign ministry acknowledged the 2017 trip but said the rest of the claims ‘deserve to be dismissed with the utmost contempt’.

Gas leak behind deadly Iran blast that stoked fears of US or Israeli attack

The explosion highlighted the jittery mood ‍prevailing in the country, as Trump threatens strikes and says a US ‘armada’ is on its way.

Israeli strikes on Gaza kill 30, including children at tent camp: hospitals

The latest fatalities came hours before the Rafah crossing, on Gaza’s border with Egypt, was due to open.

US approves US$16 billion arms sale to Israel, Saudi Arabia

The State Department says that none of the new sales will affect the military balance in the Middle East.

Chinese hair salon owner arrested in Barcelona for funding Hamas via crypto

The 38-year-old Chinese national faces terror financing charges after allegedly laundering US$715,000 via cryptocurrency to the militant group.

Israel offers ‘limited’ Rafah reopening after nearly 2-year Gaza border shutdown

The reopening is part of phase two of the US ceasefire. Previously, it was Gaza’s main crossing for people and trade with Egypt.

US envoys to Israel blocked ‘apocalyptic’ Gaza warning in 2024: report

Leaked reports reveal US diplomats killed internal memos detailing dead bodies and famine in Gaza to avoid a ‘lack of balance’ in policy.

China, Israel continue to collaborate in science and tech despite unrest in Gaza

While Beijing supports Palestine and has a fractious relationship with Tel Aviv’s closest ally, cutting-edge innovations keep them together.

‘They are trying to inject fear’: Iran rounding up thousands after crackdown

Security forces reportedly use unofficial warehouses and secret lock-ups as activists say arrests stand at more than 42,000.

Trump warns Iran of ‘far worse’ attack as US warships approach

US president issues ultimatum for a nuclear deal as Iran vows to resist any American attack.

Unicef delivers school kits to Gaza after 2.5-year Israel blockade

Thousands of school kits reach Gaza as Unicef confirms Israel lifts blockade that left children learning without pencils or books.

Peace or chaos? Indonesia’s participation in Trump-led board stirs debate

Critics say the decision runs contrary to Jakarta’s support for Palestine and decades-old foreign policy strategy of multilateralism.

Israel recovers final hostage remains, key for next phase of Gaza truce

Returning all hostages has been central to the Gaza ceasefire. Gvili’s family urged Israel to delay phase two until his remains are returned.

Mainland Chinese investor snaps up Hong Kong luxury home for US$22 million

Mid-Levels West deal highlights continued strong demand for Hong Kong’s trophy homes, driven largely by mainland Chinese buyers.

Israel launches ‘large-scale operation’ to locate last hostage in Gaza

Israel’s Netanyahu conditions the opening of Gaza’s vital southern border on the recovery of Ran Gvili’s remains.

‘Anything can happen’: Saudi-UAE rift risks tearing Middle East apart

The Gulf neighbours have turned from friends to foes, fighting proxy wars across the region and forcing global powers to pick a side.

Israel to empty Gaza of Palestinians with ‘more out than in’ policy: sources

As the Rafah crossing reopens next week, sources say Israel aims for a net outflow of Palestinians by blocking returns, raising fears of forced exile.

My Take | How to prevent war with China: return Taiwan to the mainland