Israel unveils 2025 budget plan with spending cuts amid Gaza war costs

JERUSALEM, Sept. 3 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich on Tuesday unveiled the government's 2025 budget plan, detailing substantial spending cuts as Israel grapples with aggravated Gaza war-related costs.

The plan, which is expected to gain approval by the end of the year, aims to lower the deficit to 4 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2025, down from 6.6 percent in 2024. Israel's def