Jerusalem, 15 January, 2026 (TPS-IL) — An earthquake measuring 4.2 on the Richter scale was felt Thursday morning across the Dead Sea region, with tremors reported in numerous nearby communities. According to initial assessments, the quake struck at a depth of about 10 kilometers, approximately 19 kilometers northeast of Dimona. Residents in the city described feeling strong shaking, saying objects moved inside buildings and that the experience was frightening, noting they had not felt a similar event in years. Magen David Adom reported that it received no calls regarding injuries or damage.

Jerusalem, 15 January, 2026 (TPS-IL) — More than a million Israelis switched from the national electricity company in 2025 to private energy companies.

In July of last year, the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, Noga and the Israel Electric Company launched the electricity reform. During the year, 279,500 customers joined the reform, switching from the Israel Electric Company to private suppliers, which is more than a million citizens who enjoy electricity at a discount of 7% – 20%.

Of the new entrants, 161,328 have basic home meters, 100,999 have smart home meters, and 17,173 have smart business meters. The total number of porters currently stands at 362,333.

Jerusalem, 15 January, 2026 (TPS-IL) — Israel’s Ministry of Finance, the Histadrut (Israel’s national labor federation) and the workers’ representative body have signed a new collective agreement for employees of Noga – the electricity system management company.

At the center of the agreement, which will apply to approximately 500 employees of the government company, which manages the operation, planning and trade in the electricity sector in Israel, is a modern and attractive salary structure – something that will strengthen the company’s long-term employment stability and make it possible to attract additional quality employees to the ranks of “Naga.”

Main points of the agreement:
• A percentage increase to the base salary of 3% starting in January of this year (as part of the framework agreement).
• A new salary structure for new employees by clusters and levels, with minimum and maximum ranges, update mechanisms, and differential promotion increments over the years.
• A transition path for existing employees to the new salary structure.
• A signing bonus of NIS 20,000 for employees with one year or more of seniority (and for employees with shorter seniority – a proportional bonus).
• Annual performance bonuses (bonuses) for all employees, according to defined criteria determined by management in consultation with the workers’ committee; broad eligibility for most employees in the target groups.
• Regulation of personal contracts: reduction and association of most personal contract holders with the collective agreement; delimitation of positions where employment under personal contracts and special conditions in defined cases is possible.
• Restrictions on outsourcing and a commitment to the gradual absorption of existing contractor employees for direct employment, subject to a designated track and in defined areas.

The agreement, which also includes horizontal salary increases and performance bonuses, will be valid until 2030.

IDF forces from the Judea Brigade destroyed the home of the terrorist who carried out the combined attack at the Gush Junction, where Aharon Cohen z”l was murdered and additional civilians were injured. During the night (Thursday), IDF forces operated in Hebron in the Judea Brigade to destroy the home of the terrorist Imran al-Atrash. The terrorist, along with another terrorist, carried out the ramming and stabbing attack on November 18, 2025, at the Gush Junction, where Aharon Cohen z”l was murdered and three additional civilians were injured. The destruction of the terrorist’s home constitutes a closing of the circle in the fight against terror.IDF forces from the Judea Brigade destroyed the home of the terrorist who carried out the combined attack at the Gush Junction, where Aharon Cohen z”l was murdered and additional civilians were injured. During the night (Thursday), IDF forces operated in Hebron in the Judea Brigade to destroy the home of the terrorist Imran al-Atrash. The terrorist, along with another terrorist, carried out the ramming and stabbing attack on November 18, 2025, at the Gush Junction, where Aharon Cohen z”l was murdered and three additional civilians were injured. The destruction of the terrorist’s home constitutes a closing of the circle in the fight against terror.

An IDF reservist from the Jerusalem Brigade (16) was seriously injured yesterday (Tuesday) as a result of an accidental discharge in the northern Gaza Strip. The soldier was evacuated for medical treatment at a hospital and his family has been updated.

Jerusalem, 14 January, 2026 (TPS-IL) — According to the Ministry of Aliyah and Absorption, 541 Jewish doctors from around the world immigrated to Israel in the past year, and over 1,000 new immigrant doctors have joined the Israeli healthcare system in the past two years as part of a joint national program by the Ministry of Aliyah and Absorption, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of the Negev, the Galilee and National Resilience, the “Nefesh B’Nefesh” organization, and the Jewish Agency. According to forecasts, hundreds of additional doctors are expected to immigrate to Israel during 2026, strengthening public medical services throughout the country.

Of the doctors who came to Israel in the past year, 346 doctors were from the former Soviet Union, 93 from the US and Canada, 53 from France, 23 from South America, and the rest from other countries around the world. Many of the doctors have already been assigned to various medical positions in hospitals, health funds, and health organizations across the country, including Ichilov, Hadassah, Sheba, Shaare Zedek, Rambam, Soroka, Wolfson, HaEmek, Laniado, and Barzilai.

Jerusalem, 14 January, 2026 (TPS-IL) — The Natural Gas Authority at Israel’s Ministry of Energy and infrastructure reported a record year in natural gas connections in 2025, with 41 new consumers including large businesses connected to the distribution network. In total, approximately 220 consumers have been connected throughout the country to date.

“The achievement over the past year is based on a series of significant actions carried out by the Natural Gas Authority, including state-funded acceleration programs to remove barriers, shorten schedules, and complete infrastructure in the field; this is alongside close enforcement and monitoring to ensure that distribution companies comply with licensing obligations, maintain high standards in planning, operation, and safety, and promote connections within binding schedules,” said the Ministry.

Among the consumers connected this past year: three medical centers, industrial plants in the food, plastics, and construction sectors, infrastructure sites, agricultural farms, and businesses in regional industrial centers. A significant portion of the connections have already entered the stage of actual natural gas consumption.

Jerusalem, 14 January, 2026 (TPS-IL) — A suspect in Bat Yam – south of Tel Aviv – was arrested with dozens of distribution bags containing dangerous drugs like cocaine and MDMA in his apartment.

During a search of his apartment, 21 distribution bags containing cocaine, 19 distribution bags containing MDMA, five distribution bags containing dosa, two ecstasy pills, 20 grams of marijuana, an electronic scale and a mobile phone were seized.

The Prime Minister’s Office, this evening:

Prime Minister netanyahu spoke this evening with Tali and Itzik Gvili, the parents of the fallen hostage Master-Sgt. Ran Gvili, of blessed memory.

The Prime Minister clarified that Ran’s return is a top priority and that the declaratory move regarding the establishment of a technocratic committee will not affect the efforts to return Ran for a Jewish burial.

Prime Minister Netanyahu emphasized that the Government of Israel insists that information provided to the mediators by the Coordinator for the Hostages and the Missing and his team must immediately translate into effective actions on the ground.

Hamas is required to meet the terms of the agreement to exert 100% effort for the return of the fallen Hostages, down to the very last one, Ran Gvili, a hero of Israel.