Israel

officially the State of Israel is a country in Western Asia. It is situated on the southeastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea and the northern shore of the Red Sea, and shares borders with Lebanon to the north, Syria to the northeast, Jordan to the east, and Egypt to the southwest

Prime Minister Yair Lapid (right) holds an assessment with military and security officials at the IDF's headquarters in Tel Aviv, August 6, 2022. (Kobi Elkatzur/ GPO)

Analysis 1 – Why Israel may want a ceasefire, and why it might not be easy to achieve

The longer the conflict goes on, the greater the potential for the IDF’s achievements to be reversed. But as so often, it may prove harder to end the fighting than it was to start

In this picture from left: Redefine Meat's plant-based steak, Plantish's plant-based salmon fillets, and plant-based 'egg' by Israeli startup Yo! Egg. Israeli companies currently lead in investments in the plant-based alternative protein sector, according to a Good Food Institute (GFI) Israel report for the first half of 2022. (Credits: Redefine Meat, Plantish, Yo! Egg)

Feature 2 – Israeli companies lead world in plant-based food tech investments — report

New study shows Israel comes second only to the US in funds invested in global alternative protein industry

August 9, 2022

This July 22, 2019, photo taken from video gives a 360-degree view of Ramadan prayers on the plateau of the Dome of the Rock, which can be seen in The Holy City, a virtual reality experience in the metaverse. (The Holy City VR via AP)

Feature 1 – From the Western Wall to Mecca: VR lets virtual pilgrims explore world’s holy sites

Users can tuck a prayer note into a crack of the Western Wall, join thousands of worshipers during Ramadan at the Al-Aqsa Mosque or circle around the Kaaba

August 9, 2022

Video – Into the Land: The Forgery Scandal

The second episode of The Times of Israel’s original ‘Into the Land’ docuseries — taking a deeper look at some of Israel’s most complex social, environmental and historical issues

August 9, 2022

Podcast – Daily Briefing Aug. 8: As sun sets on Operation Breaking Dawn, some rays of hope

Diplomatic correspondent Lazar Berman joins us with war stories from Ukraine; political correspondent Tal Schneider updates us on a busy week of primaries

John Doe 1 and John Doe 6

August 9, 2022

Prime Minister Yair Lapid heads a cabinet meeting in Jerusalem on July 31, 2022. (Gil Cohen-Magen/Pool Photo via AP)

Analysis 2 – With elections looming, Lapid’s Gaza gamble seems to have paid off

Launching operation against Palestinian Islamic Jihad while avoiding battle with Hamas may give caretaker PM the security credentials he lacked

August 9, 2022

Prime Minister Yair Lapid delivers a message a day after the close of Operation Breaking Dawn, from the Israel Defense Forces' Tel Aviv headquarters, August 8, 2022. (Amos Ben Gershom / GPO)

News 2 – Lapid offers a new path to residents of Gaza: Livelihood, dignity and peace

As fighting ends, PM says Abraham Accords can be an alternative model for Gaza: ‘There is another way’; Gantz says Israel will keep using preemptive strikes to maintain security

August 9, 2022

Rockets are launched from the Gaza Strip towards Israel, in Gaza City, Sunday, Aug. 7, 2022. (AP Photo/Hatem Moussa)

Small news – Gaza-area regional council won’t resume education activities, despite truce

From the Liveblog of Monday, August 8, 2022

August 9, 2022

Palestinians in Gaza fire rockets at Israel on August 5, 2022. (MAHMUD HAMS / AFP)

Opinion – Modest success for Israel, self-serving restraint by Hamas: Insights on Gaza flareup

Israel achieved its limited tactical objectives; public diplomacy improved and the Iron Dome astonished, but still the rockets flew; and Iran has cause for satisfaction

August 9, 2022

A gunman affiliated with the Palestinian Islamic Jihad terror group, marches as men carry the body of Dirar al-Kafrayni, killed during clashes with Israeli troops in the West Bank city of Jenin, during his funeral at the Jenin refugee camp, on August 2, 2022. (Jaafar Ashitiyeh/AFP)

News 1 – PIJ threatens to renew fighting if Israel refuses to release two of its members

In pamphlets to Gaza residents, terror group warns violence to resume if demands not met; Israel sees opening for wider deal with Hamas

John Doe and John Doe 1

August 9, 2022