While Idan Roll insists he didn't violate COVID restrictions and that all attendees were tested beforehand, foreign minister says public officials are expected to set example

PM says travel restrictions likely to be lifted in coming week; ministers okay temporary Green Pass for anyone who gets 1st vaccine shot

PM says government trying to find solutions amid huge lines at testing sites, while some health officials say Omicron herd immunity is likeliest outcome of current wave

Health Ministry director says expanding 4th vaccine shot possible, 'complex' decision to be made on schools; virus czar says Omicron outbreak renders Israel's travel bans obsolete

Country lifts curfew, says infections have passed their peak; 'The speed with which the Omicron-driven wave rose, peaked and then declined has been staggering,' official says

Officials say country's health service on a 'war footing' amid Omicron spread

Even though it's facing much smaller outbreak compared with global virus hotspots, China has not relaxed its 'zero COVID' strategy, imposing stay-at-home orders in many areas

Health officials report highest single-day tally in months, as Bennett reportedly warns lockdown 'not off the table'; quarantine rules to be rolled back for vaccinated

Almost 2 years into pandemic, entry and exit appeals are being reviewed on emergency basis, with consequent confusion and error, rather than within an effective, longterm framework

As the year draws to a close, experts say there is hope the COVID-19 scare could begin fading soon -- but vaccine inequalities must be addressed, or new, worse variants may arise