The dollar is strengthening globally and stable in Israel: around 3.06 shekels

Trading in the local foreign exchange market is taking place this morning (Friday) with slight movements, against the backdrop of political developments around the Gaza Strip and the strengthening of the dollar in international markets.

In the local market, the dollar is trading stably at 3.059 shekels, the euro weakened by 0.2% to 3.520 shekels, and the pound is recording a minimal decline to 4.113 shekels. In the international market, the euro is losing 0.2% against the dollar (1.151 dollars), the pound is falling by 0.2% to 1.344 dollars, and in Japan, the dollar is strengthening by 0.7% to 160.61 yen following the interest rate decision in Tokyo. The Dollar Index is climbing by 0.4% to 100.08 points.

On the local scene, investors are following the announcement by US President Donald Trump that the Peace Council for Gaza has reached an agreement for the full disarmament of Hamas and other armed groups in the Strip. Trump defined the agreement as a "monumental step forward toward sustainable peace and security."

According to the outline presented, the implementation will be carried out in stages: as the disarmament of the groups progresses, Israeli forces will withdraw from the Strip. Later, an international stabilization force and a new Palestinian police are expected to take responsibility for security in Gaza, alongside a new Palestinian government.

However, Trump's announcement faces explicit opposition from Hamas. Ghazi Hamad, a senior official in the organization, stated:

"We will not take any step regarding disarmament before Israel's withdrawal from the Strip."

The gap between the positions leaves uncertainty regarding the start date. In the US, they claim the process is expected to get underway in the coming weeks, but the Peace Council clarified that "it will take time."

The Central Bank of Japan left the interest rate unchanged at 1% after warning that core inflation might rise above the 2% target. The decision was made by a majority of eight to one. In the bank's forecast, it was claimed that core inflation will likely rise starting from the second half of the 2026 fiscal year to a level higher than the 2% target.