Defence Budget

Israel has confirmed a defence budget of 112 billion shekels for 2026, a sharp rise that signals continued security pressures even after the ceasefire arrangements with Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon. The figure, announced on Friday, emerged as ministers entered the first round of talks on next year’s national budget, a process that must be finished by March to avoid the risk of fresh elections.

The increase places defence at the centre of the political debate, with government officials arguing that the armed forces need long term funding after an expensive year of conflict. According to the finance …