If early trends had continued, today there'd be 600,000 sick Israelis and thousands 'would have ended their lives,' says Bar Siman-Tov, defending policies amid economic meltdown

Unnamed ministers tells Channel 12 Bar Siman-Tov's decisions have no rhyme or reason: 'We're losing the public and we need its cooperation'

Outgoing defense minister says Health Ministry-pushed closures would be 'destructive'; ministers slated to approve reopening of barbershops

Israel is to restrict Memorial and Independence Day gatherings, but ministers are pushing to restart schools, open more stores, as statistics give room for optimism

Reopened IKEA draws crowds, lottery booths given permission to resume activities, raising ire of still-shuttered stores, as well as ministers

But Itamar Grotto warns against complacency that could lead to resurgence, and notes that numbers from past couple of days worry Health Ministry

A winter outbreak could be far more 'complicated and challenging' than current one, cautions Health Ministry director Bar Siman-Tov

Unnamed cabinet member tells TV news ministers are being ignored, while Moshe Bar Siman-Tov 'lays down the rules, what he says goes'; Netanyahu said furious over cabinet leaks

Factories have already manufactured a million woven cotton face masks, plan to sell more for $2 each as fines are introduced for anyone who doesn't wear one in public

Cabinet approves eased restrictions after ministers reportedly fight for hours over aspects of plan announced by Netanyahu and Health Ministry