Israel’s Population Reaches 9.5 Mln

Religious people make up 35 percent of the population (AFP)
Religious people make up 35 percent of the population (AFP)
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Israel’s Population Reaches 9.5 Mln

Religious people make up 35 percent of the population (AFP)
Religious people make up 35 percent of the population (AFP)

Ahead of the Jewish New Year, Israel’s population stands at 9.593 million residents, the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) said in data released on Tuesday.

Up to 45 percent of the population are secular, 35 percent are religious, and 19 percent are traditional.

In 1948, when Israel was established, the population of Israel numbered 806,000 people, among them 154,000 Arabs (19 percent) who are known as “48 Palestinians”.

The Bureau observed around 355,000 Arabs who don’t hold the Israeli nationality but they are Palestinians in the occupied East Jerusalem (333,000), and Syrians in the occupied Golan (25,000).

Based on the data, 73.9 percent live in main cities while the rest in settlements.

The population increased by 187,000 (2 percent) last year. The past year also saw the arrival of around 60,000 new immigrants to Israel.

Around 74 percent of Israelis live in cities, 15 percent live in villages of local councils, 10 percent in regional councils, and five percent in “unacknowledged” regions.

The Bureau revealed that 67 percent are satisfied with their economic condition, while 12 percent complained of poverty.

Up to 65 percent of Israelis live in houses owned by them, knowing that the prices of houses hiked by 13 percent in the past year. The rest live in leased apartments and pay around $1,200 per month.

Israelis are identified as 45 percent secular, 19 percent traditional, 14 percent traditional-religious, 11 percent religious and 10.5 percent Haredi.

Throughout the past year, 185,000 babies were born in Israel. Meanwhile, marriages reached 40,000 and divorces 15,000.

Average life expectancy for Israeli men is 80.5 years compared to 84.6 years for women.



Towering Blaze in Malaysia on Petronas Pipeline, 63 Sent to Hospital

This frame grab taken from UGC video footage taken and posted by TikTok user @by_tharraa on the social media platform on April 1, 2025 shows a big fire in Putra Heights, near Kuala Lumpur. (Courtesy of Tiktok user @by_tharraa / AFP)
This frame grab taken from UGC video footage taken and posted by TikTok user @by_tharraa on the social media platform on April 1, 2025 shows a big fire in Putra Heights, near Kuala Lumpur. (Courtesy of Tiktok user @by_tharraa / AFP)
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Towering Blaze in Malaysia on Petronas Pipeline, 63 Sent to Hospital

This frame grab taken from UGC video footage taken and posted by TikTok user @by_tharraa on the social media platform on April 1, 2025 shows a big fire in Putra Heights, near Kuala Lumpur. (Courtesy of Tiktok user @by_tharraa / AFP)
This frame grab taken from UGC video footage taken and posted by TikTok user @by_tharraa on the social media platform on April 1, 2025 shows a big fire in Putra Heights, near Kuala Lumpur. (Courtesy of Tiktok user @by_tharraa / AFP)

At least 63 people were being treated in hospitals in Malaysia on Tuesday after a major blaze at a gas pipeline operated by state energy firm Petronas, authorities said, with efforts ongoing to control the fire and evacuate residents.

The fire started on Tuesday morning in the town of Puchong in Selangor state on the outskirts of the capital Kuala Lumpur and those taken to hospitals had suffered burns, respiratory problems or other injuries, authorities said.

The pipeline had been isolated, Petronas in a statement said. The fire department said the firm had closed off the valve on the 500 m (1,640 feet) long pipeline and 49 houses in the area had been affected.

The fire started on Tuesday morning with a towering orange blaze on the horizon and a large plume of smoke above, according to early images carried by news outlets and footage shared on social media.

A Reuters journalist located about 5 km (3 miles) away from the blaze said the intensity of the fire had reduced by early afternoon but a flame and billowing smoke could still be seen.

Ambulances were seen rushing towards the area of the fire, which had been sealed off by authorities.

No deaths were reported but the full extent of the injuries or damage so far was not immediately clear. Authorities had earlier said some people trapped in their homes.

Petronas said it was working closely with all relevant parties to ensure the safety of the surrounding community, environment and security of gas supply to the country.

The government set up relief centers at two local mosques, Bernama reported.