| Area Total | 20,770 sq km |
| Climate | temperate; hot and dry in southern and eastern desert areas |
| Natural Resources | timber, potash, copper ore, natural gas, phosphate rock, magnesium bromide, clays, sand |
| Imports | $68.61 billion (2017 est.) partners: US 11.7%, China 9.5%, Switzerland 8%, Germany 6.8%, UK 6.2%, Belgium 5.9%, Netherlands 4.2%, Turkey 4.2%, Italy 4% (2017) |
| Exports | $58.67 billion (2017 est.) partners: US 28.8%, UK 8.2%, Hong Kong 7%, China 5.4%, Belgium 4.5% (2017) |
| Government | parliamentary democracy |
| Capital | Jerusalem |
| Population | 8.4 million (July 2018 est.) |
| Ethnicity | Jewish 74.4% (of which Israel-born 76.9%, Europe/America/Oceania-born 15.9%, Africa-born 4.6%, Asia-born 2.6%), Arab 20.9%, other 4.7% (2018 est.) |
| Language | Hebrew (official), Arabic (used officially for Arab minority), English (most commonly used foreign language) |
News about Israel
- IDF issues evacuation order for industrial area in Tabriz, Iran, amid upcoming strikeson March 14, 2026
"Dear citizens, for the sake of your safety and well-being, we kindly request that you immediately evacuate the designated area indicated on the map," the IDF said.
- The escalation trap: how the Iran war could become more costly and complexby Peter Beaumont on March 14, 2026
Iran’s is trying to create wedges between Gulf states and the US, but Trump is very comfortable on the ‘escalatory ladder’In its current phase, the Israeli-US war against Iran and its proxies has become a proving ground for two competing concepts of military escalation, each of which threatens to become a trap.On one side, Donald Trump and Benjamin […]
- US bombs military sites on Iranian island as Trump threatens its oil infrastructureby Jon Gambrell,David Rising,Konstantin Toropin and Mike Corder on March 14, 2026
President Donald Trump says the U.S. destroyed military sites on an island vital to Iran’s oil network and warned that the island’s oil infrastructure could be next if Iran continues to interfere with the passage of ships through the the Strait of Hormuz
- Oil targets in spotlight as Iran war enters second week – as it happenedby Rebecca Ratcliffe(now); Lucy Campbell,Tom Ambrose, Vivian Ho and Adam Fulton (earlier) on March 14, 2026
Iranian military said in a statement that oil and energy infrastructure belonging to firms that cooperated with the US would ‘immediately be destroyed’How have you been affected by the latest Middle East events?Saudi Arabia’s defence ministry is saying that two drones have been intercepted and destroyed in the eastern region.More now after reports of […]
- Israel is preparing for largest-scale ground offensive in Lebanon since 2006 war - Axioson March 14, 2026
According to the report, Israel plans to seize the entire area south of the Litani River and dismantle Hezbollah's military infrastructure, in what officials say would "be like Gaza."
- Trump calls Iran leaders ‘deranged scumbags’ as Middle East violence spiralsby Jason Burke in Jerusalem and Deepa Parent on March 13, 2026
Tehran residents report relentless bombing with US and Israeli planes launching wave of attacks Middle East crisis – live updatesDonald Trump has said Iran will be hit “very hard” in the coming days, describing leaders of the regime as “deranged scumbags” who it was a “great honor” to kill, as Tehran residents reported relentless bombing and […]
- Friends of Zion launches billboard campaign across Israel thanking God, Donald Trump, for Iran ops.on March 13, 2026
Dr. Mike Evans, founder of Friends of Zion, said the campaign intends to express gratitude for the “historic moment” in the Middle East.
- For former Gaza hostage Elkana Bohbot, this war with Iran is different - interviewon March 13, 2026
Being at home with family when Operation Rising Lion began felt like a privilege in comparison to the tunnels of Gaza, former Hamas hostage Elkana Bohbot told Maariv.
- War diary: A weekend of sirens, through my autistic son’s eyeson March 13, 2026
DOMESTIC AFFAIRS: For most of us, our understanding of what Israelis call “the situation” is the lens through which we experience this war. Danny lacks this lens, and it feels different.
- Jerusalem highlights: March 13-19on March 13, 2026
What's new to do in Israel's capital?
- ‘No clear goal’: lack of Iran war plan has unleashed chaos and could stymie US military for decades, say criticsby Andrew Roth in Washington on March 13, 2026
White House contends with reality of shoddy preparations for war and unclear conditions for victoryMiddle East crisis – live updatesSign up for the Breaking News US newsletter emailAs US and Israeli jets descended to deliver the opening salvos of the war in Iran, Donald Trump’s back-of-the-envelope plan for regime change in Tehran was about to run into […]
- Search and rescue teams deployed after Iranian missile strikes in northern Israelon March 13, 2026
Earlier on Friday, shrapnel from an additional intercepted Iranian ballistic missile fell in central Israel, causing a fire.
- Holding the home front: Women’s lives in wartime Israelon March 13, 2026
Across the country, women are sustaining families, communities, and institutions while living with the uncertainty of conflict with Iran, their stories revealing the resilience of the home front.
- Even taking Trump’s confused reasons for the Iran war at face value, it’s still a total disaster | Jonathan Freedlandby Jonathan Freedland on March 13, 2026
Two weeks in, it’s increasingly clear that the US-led war has taken every problem it aimed to solve – and made it worseIt’s not easy, but let’s try to look at this war in the best, most charitable light. Let’s try to see the US-Israel conflict with Iran as its prosecutors and advocates would want us to see it.They would say that it has two aims, […]
- Intact warhead likely hit Zarzir despite successful interception, IDF sayson March 13, 2026
It is believed the missile initially came apart on its own, preventing the warhead from being destroyed. The IDF also stated that it will be reinforcing the Lebanese front under the Northern Command.
- Pete Hegseth attacks media for not being positive enough about US attacks on Iranby Joseph Gedeon in Washington on March 13, 2026
US defense head is eager to frame operation as a success – and slam journalists for not portraying it in a positive lightHas the pro-Maga media turned on the Pentagon over Iran?Sign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxPete Hegseth on Friday again claimed the US military campaign against Iran has been an unprecedented […]
- Jimmy Kimmel skewers Trump on breaking one of his key campaign promisesby Owen Scott on March 13, 2026
Jimmy Kimmel branded President Trump as the ‘stopidest president of all time,’ referencing a spelling mistake in a Truth Social post
- One dead after explosion at pro-regime al Quds demonstration in Tehranby James C. Reynolds on March 13, 2026
Iran called on citizens to take to the streets, before Israel carried out a fresh round of strikes
- Michigan synagogue attacker lost relatives since Israel’s attacks on Lebanon began, mayor saysby Joe Sommerlad on March 13, 2026
Ayman Mohamad Ghazali, a 41-year-old U.S. citizen originally from the Middle East, was recently bereaved, neighbors say, as FBI seek to determine motive
- All six crew members confirmed dead after US military plane crash in Iraqby Jason Burke in Jerusalem on March 13, 2026
Number of American troops killed in war on Iran after incident in western desert now stands at 13Middle East live blog – latest updatesUS politics – live updatesAll six crew members onboard a US military aircraft that crashed in western Iraq were killed, the US military has said.The KC-135 military refuelling plane crashed in western Iraq on Thursday, […]
- All six crew members killed after military refueling plane crashes in Iraq, officials confirmby Joe Sommerlad on March 13, 2026
Casualties from downing of U.S. KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft near Jordanian border take total number of American fatalities in Operation Epic Fury against Iran to 13 so far
- Israeli-backed Palestinian militias step up operations against Hamas in Gazaby Jason Burke in Jerusalem on March 13, 2026
Armed groups appear to have increased their firepower as they carry out raids deep in Hamas-controlled territoryPro-Israel Palestinian militia have launched repeated raids, clandestine assassination and abduction operations deep inside parts of Gaza controlled by Hamas in recent months, with new operations launched recently despite the outbreak of conflict […]
- Suspect who attacked Michigan synagogue ‘lost family during Israeli strike in Lebanon’by Joe Sommerlad on March 13, 2026
- Israel brief to ICJ rejecting genocide claims likely delayed by Iran waron March 13, 2026
- 'Ghost town': Lebanon city deserted amid Israeli airstrikes – video dispatchby William Christou Mathilde Poncet Augusta Anthony Nikhita Chulani on March 13, 2026
Israel has issued a new displacement order for southern Lebanon, instructing residents within 25 miles of the border between the two countries to head north. The order covers major Lebanese cities and dozens of villages. Israel’s military is considering an escalated campaign in Lebanon against Hezbollah after the pro-Iran group launched its most intense […]

















