Jerusalem, 28 December, 2025 (TPS-IL) — Israel’s Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure publishes today (Sunday) the annual electricity consumption index in local authority properties in Israel for 2024. As in previous years, this year too, the index is based on data from the authorities’ own consumption reports, and presents both the total electricity consumption in the authorities’ properties in relation to the number of residents in the authority and the total electricity consumption for outdoor lighting in relation to the area of the authority (square kilometers).

In 2024, 213 authorities out of 259 local authorities in Israel reported on their energy consumption – an addition of more than 40 new authorities compared to 2023. Despite the significant increase in the number of those reporting, it can be seen that the indices were maintained at levels similar to previous years.

The data shows that electricity consumption per resident in local authority properties in 2024 increased by 6% compared to 2023, from 150 kWh per resident in 2023, to 159 kWh per resident in 2024. The increase appears to stem, among other things, from the consequences of the war that continued throughout 2024, during which operating hours were extended to serve residents, some authorities operated in emergency situations, and increased use of lighting was made – which likely also led to an increase of approximately 6.8% in outdoor lighting consumption compared to 2023.

The index shows that in 2024 there was an increase in the number of local authorities ranked in the minimum electricity consumption category, from 69 authorities in 2023 to 78 authorities in 2024 – an increase of approximately 13%. In contrast to this increase, the number of authorities in the maximum consumption category hardly changed, despite the expansion of the circle of reporting authorities.

Jerusalem, 28 December, 2025 (TPS-IL) — A new study by Israel’s Competition Authority that assesses the market power of electricity producers was published on Sunday. The study indicates concerns about the exercise of market power by electricity producers, even considering the expected production expansions.

The study is expected to assist the Competition Commissioner during consultations in the electricity sector, particularly with regard to sectoral competitive examinations in the electricity sector according to the Concentration Law.

In recent decades, the wholesale market in Israel for electricity production has been opened to competition. Previously controlled by the electricity company, which was the sole producer in the field, private producers have been given the opportunity to obtain production licenses and establish electricity production facilities that will operate alongside the power plants of the electricity company.

The wholesale electricity market mechanism is unique – a central market mechanism within which a tender is held every day for each half hour of the following day. The system administrator publishes in advance a forecast of how much electricity it will be required to supply each half hour of the following day (“demand levels”) and accordingly the power plants offer price quotes for the supply of electricity for each half hour separately.

The new study details two methodologies that focus on examining the incentive and ability of electricity producers to adopt a strategy of reducing the amount of electricity they supply to the economy in order to raise the market price and thereby maximize their profits.

Jerusalem, 28 December, 2025 (TPS-IL) — The concession agreement was signed for the construction, operation and maintenance of a solar energy facility, using photovoltaic technology, combined with battery storage on the site of the of the PLOT A solar thermal power plant in Ashalim, located in the Negev south of Be’er Sheva.

The facility is expected to supply electricity to the national grid with a capacity of 80 megawatts, with the (installed) panel capacity of 150 megawatts and the storage capacity of approximately 400 megawatt hours. The facility will sell electricity to the national grid in accordance with the Electricity Authority’s market regulation for high-voltage integrated storage facilities operating in a competitive market model.

Jerusalem, 28 December, 2025 (TPS-IL) — TASE Top 10 Indices Sunday, December 28, 2025

Index | Value | +/- Change in Value
TA-35 | 3,618.80 | +0.43%
TA-90 | 3,777.63 | +1.06%
TACombo – 90&Banks-5 | 3,872.54 | +0.36%
TA125 | 3,647.25 | +0.56%
Money Market | 465.07 | 0.00
TA125-Value | 3,955.28 | -0.02%
TA Sector-Balance | 4,241.34 | +0.63%
All-Bond | 420.08 | +0.05%
Bond-CPI A | 420.93 | -0.05%
Tel-Bond 60 | 414.39 | +0.02%

Equity Turnover
(NIS Thousands)
Bonds Turnover
(NIS Thousands)

(NIS Thousands)

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Jerusalem, 28 December, 2025 (TPS-IL) — The Israeli government revealed Sunday evening that, in what it called “a blow to Hamas’ infrastructure in Europe,” Israeli assistance with information and evidence for law enforcement in Italy led to the investigation and arrests of Muhammad Hanun, the Hamas leader in that country, and six other senior people in the organization there, including a senior figure in Hamas’s leadership in Europe and a member of Hamas’s leadership on the continent.

A joint task force of the Economic Counterterrorism Headquarters (ECT) in Israel’s Ministry of Defense, the Intelligence/CEO Division of the Israel Police, the IDF (Israel Defense Forces) Intelligence Division, and the Shin Bet (Israel’s anti-terror General Security Service), transferred information and evidence to law enforcement authorities in Italy, through accepted and agreed channels, as part of an investigation targeting Hamas infrastructure in Italy.

During the operation, Italian law enforcement authorities seized assets, money, and property. It is suspected that those involved systematically worked to collect and transfer funds to the civilian and military arms of the declared terrorist organization Hamas.

“Hamas terrorists and all those who seek our harm do not and will not have a safe haven – neither in the Middle East nor in Europe,” said Israel’s Minister of Defense Israel Katz. “The State of Israel will act resolutely to reach every terrorist and everyone who aids terrorism that acts against it. Anyone who thinks they can finance terrorism and hide overseas is mistaken.”

Jerusalem, 28 December, 2025 (TPS-IL) — The Bank of Israel reported that in the third quarter of 2025, the balance of the public’s financial assets portfolio increased by approximately 265.1 billion Shekels ($82 billion or 4%), to about 6.9 trillion Shekels ($2.15 trillion).

The increase in the portfolio’s value in the third quarter was mainly due to increases in the balance of equities in Israel (6.8%), in the balance of corporate bonds (6.6 percent), and in the balance of investments abroad (5.9%).

The balance of the asset portfolio managed by institutional investors increased in the third quarter by approximately 143 billion Shekels ($44 billion or 4.7%), to approximately 3.2 trillion Shekels ($1 trillion) at the end of the quarter.

The scope of the portfolio managed by mutual funds in Israel increased by approximately 46.4 billion Shekels ($14 billion or 6.9%) in the third quarter, to a level of 722 billion Shekels ($226 billion). There were net new investments, mainly in funds specializing in domestic bonds, shekel money market funds, and in funds specializing in domestic equities.

Jerusalem, 28 December, 2025 (TPS-IL) — Israel Fire and Rescue said it is in heightened preparation for a stormy and unusual weather system expected tomorrow (Monday) across the country, with an emphasis on the central, Sharon (north of Tel Aviv), Shephelah (South of Tel Aviv) and the greater Tel Aviv regions.

According to updated forecasts, starting in the early morning hours, very heavy rains are expected to fall in a short period of time, with unusual amounts of precipitation of up to 150 mm in a few hours, mainly in the Yarkon (Tel Aviv) and Alexander (from western Samaria to the coast) basin areas. The peak of the system is expected between 9 AM and 2 PM.

During these hours, there is a real risk of widespread flooding in cities and towns.

The Israel Fire and Rescue Service is on full alert, with reinforced forces deployed in advance in sensitive areas.

The Ministry of Health is issuing a swimming advisory for Carmel Beach (North and South) in Haifa, following abnormal seawater test results.

The Ministry continues to monitor the situation.

The Ministry reminds the public that swimming is permitted only at designated beaches.

Jerusalem, 28 December, 2025 (TPS-IL) — After reporting to the reserves since the beginning of the war and operating in Gaza, Lebanon, and now in Syria, forces of the IDF’s (Israel Defense Forces) 55th “Spearhead” Brigade have completed more than 100 days of operation in the region and their mission.

They have been operating for the past three months in the defense of the Golan Heights and in the security area in southern Syria. During the activity in the sector, the brigade forces completed dozens of proactive activities that affected the sense of security of the residents of the Golan Heights.

The brigade forces will be replaced in the coming days by another reserve brigade forces that will continue their activities in the southern Syria and Golan Heights area.