Israel

Israel's economy is under severe strain from war costs and regional energy disruptions. The Finance Ministry reports the Iran conflict has cost $11.5 billion in budgetary expenses, while the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz has caused a global oil shortage and price spike. Some recovery is signaled by the reopening of the Leviathan gas platform and plans for new oil pipelines bypassing Hormuz via Haifa.

• 6Senate rejects effort to halt arms sales to Israel, but most Democrats vote to block them
• 6Tanker Traffic Halted Through Strait of Hormuz Amid Israel-Lebanon Strikes
• 5Is Russia selling Ukrainian grain to Israel?
• 4Iran war has cost Israel $11.5 billion in budgetary expenses, Finance Ministry says
• 4Israel's Leviathan gas platform reopens after five weeks of Iran, Hezbollah war

Israeli politics are defined by high-stakes diplomacy with Lebanon under U.S. pressure, concurrent with international condemnation. The Netanyahu government agreed to direct talks with Lebanon in Washington on Hezbollah disarmament while the U.S. pushed it to scale back strikes. European and Middle Eastern nations condemned the strikes, and Italy suspended its defense agreement with Israel.

• 130Israel and US deny Lebanon included in Iran ceasefire deal
• 38European and Middle Eastern nations condemn Israeli strikes in Lebanon
• 36Italy suspends its defense agreement with Israel
• 23Israel to hold direct peace talks with Lebanon in Washington next week

Israel is conducting a major air campaign against Lebanon and Iranian targets, causing significant casualties. The IDF launched a major wave of air strikes across Lebanon, killing hundreds and overwhelming Lebanon's health system. Concurrent strikes hit a major Iranian petrochemical facility, and Israel halted strikes on Beirut only after a direct order from Trump.

• 122Israel launches major wave of air strikes across Lebanon
• 68At least 182 killed as Israel strikes central Beirut after saying Iran truce doesn’t apply there
• 4710-day ceasefire in Lebanon begins as Israel agrees to U.S.-backed deal
• 44Israeli soldier killed by friendly fire during Lebanon raid
• 40Israeli military establishes positions and conducts operations in southern Lebanon

Israeli society is marked by deepening international isolation and diplomatic friction over its military actions. A Pew poll shows a sharp rise to 60% of Americans holding an unfavorable view of Israel. This is compounded by condemnations from eight Muslim-majority countries over a new death penalty law and public diplomatic spats with South Korea and Pakistan over critical statements.

• 46Israeli soldier attacks Jesus statue in Lebanon
• 15Netanyahu treated for early-stage prostate cancer, says he is cancer-free
• 11Pakistani minister deletes post calling Israel 'cancerous' after Netanyahu's warning
• 8Easter in Jerusalem overshadowed by war and restrictions
• 8Eight Muslim-majority countries condemn Israel's new death penalty law