Yuli Edelstein says it's possible government will tighten restrictions further, warns easing of rules will be gradual, as opposition rips into 'illogical' health policy

Closure will ‘kill the Israeli spirit,’ says Hagai Levine of COVID-19 czar’s expert panel, as another critic predicts bad results and a rerun in 3 months

Edelstein warns that restrictions may be increased before they are lifted; Yoav Kisch says rise in transmission rate may level out, perhaps go down a little

Ronni Gamzu asks health and education ministers to close schools early, saying government erred in allowing them to stay open until Friday

Gamzu heard raging at 'ridiculous' conduct as he scrambles to get ready for TV appearance: 'Why not get me a tripod? Why not get me a cameraman?'; banters with health minister

Edelstein says he won’t present alternative if proposal is rejected, cautions it’s a ‘matter of life and death’; hospital chiefs push back against lockdown, say not facing collapse

As coronavirus cases steadily rise, PM weighs various proposals, ranging from full nationwide closure for a month to pinpoint restrictions over holidays

While government looks for limited measures amid growing resistance to new closures, Health Ministry fears upcoming holiday season could cause spike in infections

But Chezy Levy stresses 'all of us want to avoid' such a move, cautions there's 'no magic wand' to swiftly bring down infections; Health Ministry: 2,740 new cases recorded Thursday

Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky reportedly says it wastes Torah study time and could send others into quarantine; Gamzu: Statements 'endanger ultra-Orthodox public'