Jerusalem, 5 January, 2026 (TPS-IL) — The following are the end of day exchange rates as set by the bank of israel Monday, January 5, 2025:
(Units are given in the foreign currency and the rate is given in its value in Shekels)

Currency | Unit | Rate (NIS) | Daily Change (against the Shekel)
US Dollar | 1 | 3.1580 | ‎-0.723%
GB Pound | 1 | 4.2521 | ‎-0.698%
Japanese Yen | 100 | 2.0165 | ‎-0.572%
Euro | 1 | 3.6878 | ‎-1.153%
AUS Dollar | 1 | 2.1098 | -0.999%
Can Dollar | 1 | 2.2923 | ‎-1.126%
DAN Krone | 1 | 0.4937 | ‎-1.141%
NOR Krone | 1 | 0.3130 | ‎-0.887%
SA Rand | 1 | 0.1917 | ‎-0.416%
SWD Krona | 1 | 0.3421 | ‎-0.812%
SWS Franc | 1 | 3.9752 | ‎-0.895%

H5N1 avian influenza has been diagnosed in a breeding duck flock in Moshav Sde Yaakov in the Jezreel Valley Regional Council. Following abnormal mortality of ducks on a farm that includes approximately 2,000 ducks aged 41 weeks, samples were sent to the laboratories of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, which confirmed the suspicion. This is the first case of avian influenza diagnosed in the current season (2025-2026) in commercial poultry farms, while in the previous influenza season (2024-2025), the Ministry dealt with 16 foci of avian influenza infection. 

In order to prevent the spread of the disease, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is acting in accordance with the procedures recommended by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) regarding the treatment of avian influenza. Among other things, a quarantine zone has been established within a 10 km radius of the infected farms, where poultry movements are restricted, the stocking of farms is prohibited, and strict biosecurity measures are required from those involved in the industry. The Veterinary Services at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development continue to conduct active monitoring in all farms in the area. 

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development calls on ornamental bird and backyard poultry breeders, as well as free-range farms, to keep the poultry in their possession indoors, to prevent roaming in open areas, and thus reduce the risk of infection from wild birds during the migration season.

During last year’s influenza season (2024-2025), the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development dealt with 16 foci of avian influenza infection in commercial poultry farms. In Moshav Nahalal, four foci were identified, in Kibbutz Tzora three foci, in Ein Tzevi two foci, and in Kfar Vitkin two foci. In addition, one focus was identified in the previous season in each of the following communities: Moshav Ram-On, Kibbutz Alonim, emek hefer, Kibbutz Mishmar HaEmek, and Chavate Zion.

The Ministry emphasizes that meat, poultry, and eggs should be consumed only from authorized points of sale and marketing. Eggs must be marked and packaged in cardboard or plastic on all sides. In addition, eggs and chicken meat should only be consumed after being thoroughly cooked, baked, or fried to prevent health risks.

We request that anyone who was in contact, or whose animals were in contact, in the event area with the infected animal or a stray animal, between the dates 10.12.2025 and 31.12.2025 inclusive, to urgently contact the Safed Health Bureau, telephone 04-6994257, 04-6994200, or the Health Bureau closest to their place of residence in order to consider preventive treatment. 
After working hours and during the weekend, please go to the emergency room at the hospital.

The ministry of Health requests:

• Parents of children – check with their children if they were in contact with suspected animals and contact the Health Bureau urgently.
• Pet owners – contact the municipal veterinarian to verify their vaccination status.
• Pass on the information about the event to travelers and vacationers in the area and in nearby settlements.

The ministry of Health reminds again that anyone bitten or scratched by an animal should immediately wash the area with running water and soap, disinfect with antiseptic materials, and go to the Health Bureau to check if preventive treatment against Rabies is necessary. 

The Tender publication is intended to increase the number of foreign workers in the construction sector and to address the shortage of skilled workers, particularly in wet trades. 

The new Tender will strengthen the foreign worker recruitment system in a professional and controlled manner, while maintaining the integrity of the selection process, reducing brokerage fees, and protecting workers’ rights.

Within the framework of the Tender, the Ministry intends to select up to four winners, up to two for each of the two clusters: the building sector and the renovation sub-sector. The contract period will be set for one year, with an option for extension up to five years cumulatively, depending on the Ministry’s needs.

The annual scope of the contract will be up to NIS 2 million (including VAT), with the possibility of expansion according to the Ministry’s decision.

Director General of the Ministry of Construction and Housing, Yehuda Morgenstern: “In recent years, the Ministry has been leading a broad initiative to ensure the arrival of skilled workers to the construction sector, while ensuring professionalism, transparency, and the protection of workers’ rights. The new Tender will allow for the expansion of selection and training activities abroad and support the continued construction momentum throughout the country.” 

The full tender documents are published on the Government Procurement Administration website
The deadline for submitting clarification questions is 11.1.2026 at 12:00 PM, and the deadline for submitting offers is 29.1.2026 at 12:00 PM.     

Offers will be submitted online through the Government Procurement Administration’s Yahalom system.
 

Jerusalem, 5 January, 2026 (TPS-IL) — Opsfleet, an Israel-based provider of technology infrastructure services, has acquired Raven Data, a boutique Israeli data and AI consultancy, in a deal valued at several million shekels. The acquisition expands Opsfleet’s offerings beyond cloud infrastructure and system modernization into full-cycle data engineering, analytics, and applied artificial intelligence.

Raven Data, founded in 2019 by former IDF Intelligence Corps officer Omer Fogel, has grown organically without external funding and serves leading tech firms and enterprises in Israel, with recent expansion into Europe. Following the deal, Raven Data will operate as a dedicated unit within Opsfleet, supporting growth in Israel, Europe, and the UK.

Jerusalem, 5 January, 2026 (TPS-IL) — The Israel Defense Forces said it struck a Hamas terrorist in southern Gaza planning an “imminent” attack on soldiers.

“The terrorist posed a real threat to IDF forces and was therefore attacked with a precision strike,” the IDF said.

The army added that steps were taken to minimize harm to civilians, including the use of precision weapons, aerial surveillance, and other measures.

In recent weeks, a covert investigation has been conducted by a task force in the National Unit for the Fight Against Economic Crime (YALAK) at Lahav 433 against suspects from the bakri crime organization for offenses of extortion by threats, money laundering, VAT, and income tax offenses.

According to suspicion, during the past two years, the suspects instilled fear, extorted victims by threats for the purpose of extorting money while committing tax offenses and distributing fictitious invoices in the scope of millions of shekels.

This morning, the National Unit for the Fight Against Economic Crime at Lahav 433 launched an overt investigation in cooperation with the Investigations Unit of Customs and VAT Haifa at the tax authority, the Authority for the Prohibition of money laundering, and with the accompaniment of the Northern District Attorney’s Office, and arrested 7 suspects, including senior members of the Bakri crime organization.

Today, 05.01.26, YALAK officers, along with Border Police fighters, Matpat’a fighters, and detectives from the Prisons Service’s ‘Dror’ unit, arrested and detained 7 suspects who were brought for investigation at Lahav 433. At the end of the investigation, they will be brought for an extension of detention hearing at the Magistrate’s Court in Nazareth.

Jerusalem, 5 January, 2026 (TPS-IL) — Charlotte Niddam, a 15-year-old Israeli missing after the deadly New Year’s Eve fire at the Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana, has been confirmed dead, her family said. Charlotte, who also had British and French citizenship, will likely be laid to rest in Paris, her mother announced on Facebook.

The blaze, which erupted shortly after midnight during a party, killed 40 people and injured over 100. Israel’s Foreign Ministry had previously reported one citizen among the missing.

Jerusalem, 5 January, 2026 (TPS-IL) — Israel’s Ministry of Agriculture confirmed H5N1 bird flu in a flock of around 2,000 breeding ducks in Moshav Sde Yaakov in northern Israel following unusual mortality among the birds — the first commercial poultry outbreak of the 2025–2026 season.

A 10-kilometer quarantine zone has been imposed around the farm, restricting poultry movements and enforcing strict biosafety measures. The ministry urges owners of backyard, ornamental, and free-range birds to keep them indoors and advises the public to consume only properly labeled and thoroughly cooked poultry and eggs.

Last year, 16 outbreaks were recorded across Israel.