Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu:

I feel deep pain over the cutting short of the life of the dear yeshiva student, Yosef Eizenstat, may he rest in peace, who was run over and killed yesterday at a demonstration in jerusalem.

The circumstances of the tragic disaster will be thoroughly investigated to draw all necessary insights and lessons from them.

I extend my full condolences to the Eizenstat family.

At the same time, I call to prevent the escalation of tensions so that we do not, God forbid, experience further disasters. The value of the sanctity of life is etched in our heritage, and we must guard it with all our might.

“He will swallow up death forever, and the Lord God will wipe away tears from every face.”

The President’s Residence:

We have gone through a very sad and painful evening – with the loss of life of a Haredi youth and the injured with severe, moderate, and light wounds.

Violence is crossing a red line in the most severe and dangerous sense. This painful evening must be a wake-up call for all of us, and especially for all those involved: it is time to show responsibility, lower the flames, and do everything to prevent the next disaster, before it is too late.

I support the police in conducting a swift and comprehensive investigation in order to quickly bring about the full extent of justice and draw conclusions.

In this difficult hour, my heart is with the youth’s family, and I send them condolences and wish a complete recovery to the injured.

Prime Minister’s Office:

After a period of several months, political dialogue between Israel and Syria resumed with American backing and support.

The dialogue took place as part of President Trump’s vision to promote peace in the Middle East, during which Israel emphasized the importance of ensuring the security of its citizens and preventing threats on its borders.

Israel reiterated its commitment to promoting regional stability and security, and regarding the need to advance economic cooperation for the benefit of both countries.

It was agreed to continue the dialogue to promote common goals and maintain the security of the Druze minority in Syria.

Jerusalem, 7 January, 2026 (TPS-IL) — Israel struck a Hezbollah terrorist in the area of the southern Lebanese town of Jouaiyya, the Israel Defense Forces said.

A healthy two-month-old infant, a resident of northern Israel, passed away as a result of influenza.

The Ministry of Health recommends continued vaccination of the entire population as soon as possible. Although vaccination is not possible at this age, vaccinating people in close contact provides some protection, and therefore, vaccinating the entire population is important.

The Ministry emphasizes that although the flu vaccine does not completely prevent illness, it reduces severity in most cases.  

The vaccine is available and free of charge at the health funds.

Based on the precautionary principle, the Ministry of Health recommends that at-risk populations consider wearing masks in enclosed spaces and at gatherings. The Ministry also recommends wearing masks for medical staff and visitors in nursing homes and geriatric institutions.
 

The prize committee convened, headed by Dr. Haim Perlman and with the participation of members Prof. Gilad Dubeshen and Dr. Nurit Sircus-Bank.

The prize committee noted in its reasoning that Yaacov Agam’s work resonates with a many-year contribution to Israeli and international art for seven decades. According to the committee, Agam broke the boundaries of plastic art as it was known and innovated languages of kinetic art and Op Art.

The committee further noted that the central innovative element in his work over the years is the idea of internal change, both within the artwork itself and from the viewer’s changing perspective. His works combine visual elements with musical elements in motion in space and time, reflecting a dynamic and renewing reality. His work expresses a concept that art must be mobile and changing, just as reality itself is constantly created and shaped.

The israel prize is the most important and prestigious prize awarded in the State of Israel. The prizes will be awarded on the evening of Israel’s 78th Independence Day.

Jerusalem, 7 January, 2026 (TPS-IL) — A healthy two-month-old child from northern Israel has died from the flu, the Ministry of Health reported. This marks the sixth pediatric flu-related death in Israel this year.

While infants under six months cannot be vaccinated, the ministry stressed that vaccinating those around them can offer indirect protection. Health officials urged the public to get vaccinated, noting the vaccine reduces disease severity even if it doesn’t fully prevent infection.

The ministry continues to recommend masks for at-risk populations, medical staff, and visitors in nursing and geriatric facilities.

Jerusalem, 7 January, 2026 (TPS-IL) — The 15th International Jerusalem Winner Marathon will take place on Friday, March 27, organizers announced. Tens of thousands of runners from Israel and abroad are expected. The event, organized by the Jerusalem Municipality and sponsored by Toto Winner, showcases Jerusalem’s historic landmarks.

Which academic institution will lead the next groundbreaking research on preventing dust emissions from quarries? Which researchers will combine drones with renewable energy? And who is the professor who wants to develop a system that will generate electricity from the sound of the sea and wave movements?
The Chief Scientist Unit at the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure is publishing today the list of 21 academic research projects that have received support totaling approximately NIS 10 million. These are researchers from 11 academic institutions across the country, including the Technion, Tel Aviv University, the Hebrew University, Bar-Ilan University, and others. Agreements are currently being signed with the academic institutions, and the research projects will commence for a period of one to three years, with some of them potentially becoming technologies that will impact every home in Israel.

Among the winning research projects is the proposal by Prof. Daniel Nissim from Bar-Ilan University on developing an innovative method for treating PET plastic waste, used for soft drink bottles. The idea behind the research is to break down the polymer in an electrochemical cell and produce fuels, while simultaneously using the hydrocarbon mixture as raw material for producing fuels and various high-value chemical products. This is a highly innovative research that could lead to an unknown breakthrough in the plastic recycling industry. For the execution of this research, the Ministry will provide a grant of NIS 499,600. 

Another groundbreaking research will focus on developing an innovative system that generates electricity from the sound of the sea and wave motion, with the aim of powering small marine monitoring devices. The research will be conducted by Prof. Roi Diamant from the University of Haifa, and he will receive a grant of NIS 657,100.

Further research that may leave its mark on the energy sector is that of Prof. Yitzhak Katreh from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, who will examine the development of a system for monitoring and preventing dust emissions from quarries. The goal of the research is to assist in determining appropriate policy for Israel in the field of quarries and in improving air quality. For this purpose, the researcher received a grant from the Ministry amounting to NIS 685,937.

Dr. Amichai Horesh from the Agricultural Research Organization, Volcani Center, and Prof. David Zerok from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev have also received support from the Ministry to conduct a joint research project examining the possibility of developing a drone integrated with innovative sound wave-based technology for cleaning solar panels without the use of water. Both researchers received a grant from the Ministry for this research amounting to NIS 999,000. 

Last year, the Ministry awarded approximately NIS 8 million to 11 research projects from 6 different academic institutions across the country.

Attached is the full list of winners and the total grants for this year. 

Prof. Brian Rosen, Chief Scientist at the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure: “The Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure places great importance on strengthening applied academic research in Israel, and on providing tools that will help bring innovative technologies out of the laboratories, for the significant benefit of the energy, water, and quarry sectors. Strengthening applied research in Israeli academic research institutions will ensure that Israel remains at the global forefront of scientific breakthroughs leading to technological developments in the fields of energy, water, quarries, and the environment.”

Jerusalem, 7 January, 2026 (TPS-IL) — Israel carried out a controlled demolition of three minefields along its border with Jordan as part of the building of a security barrier, the Defense Ministry said on Wednesday. The operation destroyed around 500 old anti-tank mines laid in the area in the late 1960s.

The barrier project spans roughly 500 km from the southern Golan Heights to the Samar Sands north of Eilat. The $1.7 billion initiative includes a multi-layered system of fences, radars, cameras, and advanced IT capabilities.