Defense minister: Pandemic is 'biological warfare'; Health Ministry chief says it's a 'privilege' to be able to talk about exit strategy, as figures give rise to cautious optimism

Moshe Bar Siman-Tov defends work of Health Minister Litzman, accused of catching COVID-19 after flouting isolation rules; IDF to take over old age homes amid fear of mass outbreak

NSC chief Ben-Shabbat cautions cabinet that this should not yet be seen as steady trend; Friday infections rise by 173 cases to 7,030, with 39 dead and 95 patients on ventilators

Experts say Health Ministry has long suffered a lack of coordination, planning and oversight, leaving it woefully unprepared for coronavirus despite strong signs disaster loomed

Yesh Atid and Meretz heads urge Netanyahu to fire health minister, who has the virus, after report says he attended prayer services in breach of rules on preventing contagion

Many top Israeli officials are in quarantine after Health Minister Litzman was diagnosed with coronavirus; PM to remain in isolation, working from residence

Yaakov Litzman's positive test has forced Netanyahu and most of the top Israeli officials tackling pandemic into quarantine; he denies claims he ignored ban on group prayer

Yaakov Litzman, a member of the Gur Hasidic community, forced to work from home after coronavirus diagnosis

Health Ministry chiefs, Mossad boss, national security adviser, all handing response to pandemic, enter isolation along with PM, who only just emerged; IDF head already quarantined

Yaakov Litzman, 71, doing well, ministry official says, speculates minister likely caught bug from his ultra-Orthodox community and not lawmakers