Scenes demonstrate challenge of instituting a national closure, which perhaps unintentionally lead citizens to gather in large crowds both before and after restrictions take effect

Bank of Israel says economic damage of latest closure actually expected to be somewhat less than previous ones, due to more lax restrictions and schools staying partly open

Though cabinet ordered all arrivals isolated at gov't facilities, only some 12% said to actually go; passengers report pandemonium upon landing: 'Nothing prepared in advance'

Day before Israel enters its third national lockdown, Health Ministry says over 74,000 people got their first shots on Thursday

PM asserts that lockdown, combined with vaccination campaign, can make Israel the 1st country to overcome coronavirus crisis

Local authorities decry partial closure of schools; virus czar says lockdown likely Israel's last, will probably be extended beyond 2 weeks

Health minister says vaccines to be made available to all age groups in 1-2 weeks, says appointments for elderly and at-risk groups will be moved up

Netanyahu, Health Ministry approve new restrictions that will limit movement, commerce, gatherings; education system to remain partially open; 65,000 vaccinated on Wednesday

Officials said to fear recent spike in Haredi infections is result of variant; Health Ministry said to recommend 25-day shut down of all non-essential public life, starting Sunday

Cabinet to meet Wednesday afternoon to make decision, with leaders reportedly at odds over timing for reimposing sweeping restrictions