Officials say more infectious variant possibly already present in Israel; Health Ministry director-general warns country likely heading into another closure

PM reportedly dead set on ordering closure, given concerns of rising infection rates and the emergence of more virulent coronavirus strains

Annual exhibition moves outside for viewers to see gripping images by local photojournalists

Medical professionals lament government's 'loss of values,' say 'coercive' measures are destroying civil liberties

Health Ministry's head of public health services says there's light at the end of the tunnel but 'we're still in the middle of it'

While not as strict as prior lockdowns, new restrictions will see all schools, restaurants and gyms close; government ministries and some other shops will continue at 30% capacity

Health Ministry expects some 800 seriously ill by end of January in latest wave of pandemic, TV network reports

Rate of positive COVID-19 tests leaps to 3.5% and active cases near 20,000, as deputy health minister says 'no avoiding' reimposed closures

Health Ministry sources quoted saying shutdown of commercial activity will be longer than planned since many schools will remain open

Yuli Edelstein says commerce will be first to be shut down, though most schools to remain open, if daily infections top 2,500 or transmission passes government-set benchmark