Ifi Reporter - Dan Bielski

Israeli website-building giant Wix has announced the acquisition of BASE44, an AI-powered software development platform, for an initial $80 million, with additional performance-based payments extending through 2029. The deal is already being hailed as one of the most remarkable in recent Israeli tech history—not just for its speed and scale, but for the fact that BASE44 was created by a single developer, Maor Shlomo, and publicly launched only four months ago

The Home Front Command announced on Wednesday a partial easing of defense restrictions across most of the country, allowing a limited return to routine activities amid ongoing security concerns. The updated guidelines provide greater flexibility for workplaces and educational institutions, provided they have access to protected spaces

Tensions in the Middle East escalated sharply overnight after Iran launched a barrage of five missiles toward Israel, prompting American air defense systems to intercept all incoming projectiles. The missiles were fired shortly after midnight (between Wednesday and Thursday), and no casualties or direct damage have been reported. A small fire broke out in an open area near Jerusalem, believed to be caused by shrapnel, but it was quickly contained

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has confirmed that Sergeant Stav Halfon, 20, from Petah Tikva, was killed on Wednesday by sniper fire during operational activity in Khan Yunis, located in the southern Gaza Strip. Halfon served in the 603rd Engineering Battalion of the 7th Brigade and was operating under the combat team of the Paratroopers Brigade during an operation aimed at dismantling Hamas infrastructure

Israel’s energy infrastructure is facing mounting pressure following a deadly attack on the Bazan refinery complex in Haifa, which killed three employees, damaged a power station, and forced a complete shutdown of the country’s largest fuel producer. Bazan is responsible for 60% of Israel’s diesel and about half of its gasoline output

In a detailed economic review released on Monday, S&P Global Ratings assessed the financial risks posed by the escalating war between Israel and Iran, with a focus on the potential impact on regional economies, energy markets, and investor sentiment

Air raid sirens were activated across major communities in central Israel late Tuesday night, following a significant missile barrage launched from Iran. Residents from the Shephelah to the Sharon region sought shelter as dozens of projectiles were detected in Israeli airspace

In response to the ongoing security situation and following a government directive, El Al Airlines has announced the cancellation of its regular flight schedule — including that of its subsidiary Sun D’Or — through Monday, June 23, 2025. In its place, Israel’s national carrier is preparing to operate rescue flights from select international destinations to bring stranded citizens home

A short and "embarrassing" meeting between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Finance Ministry's professional clerks took place on Thursday to discuss the 2025 budget, leaving many questions unanswered. During the meeting, the Treasury's chief economist, Dr. Shmuel Abramson, presented a revised forecast, showing slower-than-expected growth in 2024 and 2025. This year’s growth is projected at 1.1%, while 2025 is expected to see 4.4%, a slight downgrade from previous estimates

Israel experienced a limited missile barrage from Iran early Monday, with only two projectiles reportedly launched, according to security sources. One fell in an open area in the southern Negev, potentially causing a small fire. No casualties or significant damage have been confirmed

U.S. President Donald Trump said Sunday evening that American military intervention in the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict is possible, signaling a potential escalation in international involvement in the growing war. In an interview with ABC News, Trump clarified that the United States is not currently involved militarily, but added: “There is a possibility that we will intervene

After April’s unexpected inflation spike, new data from the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) delivered a surprise in the opposite direction: Israel’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) fell by 0.3% in May, defying economists' forecasts of a 0.1% increase. This unexpected decline eased the annual inflation rate to 3.1%, down from 3.6% in April. Despite the drop, inflation remains slightly above the Bank of Israel’s target range of 1–3%

In a devastating overnight missile barrage by Iran, six people were killed and over 200 were injured in the cities of Bat Yam and Rehovot, as two direct hits leveled residential buildings and caused massive destruction. Among the dead are a 10-year-old boy, a young girl, and two elderly women. Authorities continue to search for seven missing persons as rescue operations stretch into Monday

In light of the continuing state of emergency, public transportation across Israel will operate today (Sunday) in a reduced and emergency-focused format, prioritizing essential travel to hospitals, military bases, and evacuation points

The ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran intensified dramatically overnight as Iran launched around 140 ballistic missiles in two waves aimed at northern and central Israel. The latest barrage, which targeted strategic facilities in Haifa and the Galilee, resulted in three fatalities and dozens of injuries, while Israel expanded its retaliatory strikes deep into Iranian and Houthi territory

Following a situation assessment held Sunday evening between Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Israel Securities Authority Chairman Adv. Sefi Singer, it was decided that trading on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange (TASE) will proceed as scheduled on Monday, despite the escalating conflict with Iran

In light of the ongoing security situation, Education Minister Yoav Kish announced on Saturday evening that all educational institutions will operate via remote learning only during the coming week. The announcement applies to all levels of the education system—kindergartens, elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) launched a large-scale airstrike on Iran overnight between Thursday and Friday, in what Israeli officials are calling a preemptive operation aimed at neutralizing Iran’s advancing nuclear weapons program

In a dramatic vote on Thursday night, the Knesset rejected a bill to dissolve itself in a preliminary reading, effectively blocking any chance of new elections for the next six months. The bill was defeated with 61 members voting against and 53 in favor, after days of political wrangling, rabbinic influence, and intra-coalition negotiations centered on the contentious ultra-Orthodox draft law

Elbit Systems — one of Israel’s largest defense and technology companies — briefly lost one-third of its market value in what turned out to be a trader’s costly typing error. At noon, trading screens showed a stunning 33% drop in Elbit Systems’ share price, raising alarm across the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange (TASE). While such a collapse might suggest a global breakthrough in diplomacy — perhaps a simultaneous end to the wars in Ukraine and Gaza — the cause was far more mundane: a human error.