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

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

Health minister says country has 'missed the train' on tightening restrictions and must now enter a full closure, as virus test positivity rate climbs above 5%

Nachman Ash says infection rate can be lowered with a 3-week closure or 5 weeks of tightened restrictions; 3,594 new cases verified on Monday, with a 4.2% positivity rate

Foreign nationals to be barred; Israelis returning in next 48 hours from all destinations said to require home quarantine; travelers testing positive to be checked for new strain

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

Announcement comes amid fears health officials will face uphill battle to convince Haredi community to inoculate

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

Virus czar says government 'trying to prevent a full lockdown,' after Monday sees highest number of new confirmed carriers in 2 months