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Israel logs 220 COVID-19 deaths since beginning of week

National coronavirus death toll hikes to 4,232 fatalities as 1,156 Israelis hospitalized in serious condition with the pathogen, 315 of them on ventilators; 27% and 9% of Israeli population received first and second vaccine doses, respectively

Yaron Druckman, Adir Yanko , 22:16 , 01.21.21

Gantz orders end to Army Radio's affiliation with military

DM says decision to separate long-running station from army made 'to detach the IDF from an independent radio station in which uniformed soldiers dabble in political content'

Yoav Zitun, Ran Boker , 21:20 , 01.21.21

Israel COVID-19 'R' reproduction number dips below 1 in first since vaccine drive

Deputy Health Minister Kisch credits the lockdown and the vaccines for the reduction in morbidity; Health Ministry panel expected to recommend vaccinating youths aged 16-18

Reuters, Adir Yanko , 19:51 , 01.21.21

Earthquake rattles Cyprus, felt in Israel

Geological Survey says shock's epicenter located 224 kilometers from Nahariya; Ynet users report feeling the tremor across the country, including in Nahariya, Haifa and Jerusalem

Reuters, Ahiya Raved , 18:17 , 01.21.21

Austria presents national strategy against anti-Semitism

Austrian government's new measures intend to battle country's surging anti-Semitism in all its forms, from online chat groups to public protests such as current rallies against coronavirus regulations

Associated Press , 17:12 , 01.21.21

Cash-strapped public hospitals pull plug on emergency admissions

Six medical centers across Israel say that they will receive only COVID patients and those in life-threatening condition over Finance Ministry failure to provide more assistance despite surge in new coronavirus cases

Haim Golditch , 16:02 , 01.21.21

Son of Likud founder Begin joins Saar breakaway party

Benny Begin joins the long list of Likudniks who opted to switch alliances before the election; says state institutions under attack by the government, which we must do everything to replace

Moran Azulay , 14:23 , 01.21.21

Hundreds of shuttles seen unloading children at Haredi schools in Beit Shemesh

Police vehicles around the schools appear to ignore hundreds of children attend school despite lockdown; data obtained by Ynet shows selective enforcement of virus rules, with general, Arab sector fined more frequently than Haredi

Gilad Cohen , 12:00 , 01.21.21

Israelis riot, refusing to isolate in hotel after Dubai return

Group of tourists turn tables and curse IDF soldiers operating the Jerusalem hotel after they weren't allowed to meet with a Health Ministry representative to plead their case for a home quarantine

Itamar Eichner , 10:12 , 01.21.21

Israel again sees over 8,000 new virus cases, ventilated patients at record high

Health Ministry says, however, that coefficient of infection fell below 1 for the first time since October; one in every five active COVID-19 patients live in Jerusalem; 2,364,828 people have received first vaccine shot, 691,876 the second

Ynet , 08:52 , 01.21.21

Netanyahu congratulates Biden, calls for unity on Iran

PM reminds new president of 40-year friendship, says he is looking forward to working together; urging him to continue expanding peace between Israel, Arab world and to confront common challenges, chiefly threat from Tehran

Itamar Eichner , 21:08 , 01.20.21

Haredi extremists threaten mass riots over virus crackdown

Source in ultra-Orthodox Jerusalem area of Mea Shearim says community leaders will no longer cooperate with police if schools are forced to close during current lockdown following public criticism of violations in sector

Kobi Nachshoni , 18:05 , 01.20.21

Tlaib calls Israel 'racist' for not supplying virus vaccines to Palestinians

Palestinian-American Congresswoman claims Israel denies Palestinians the vaccine 'due to belief that Palestinians are not equally human' despite PA saying on multiple occasions it is obtaining its own vaccines from Russia

i24NEWS, Reuters , 14:53 , 01.20.21

Israel pushes for further settlement construction as Trump leaves office

Anti-settlement monitoring group Peace Now says Jerusalem approved 2,600 new housing units in the West Bank in the twilight hours of the Trump administration, in addition to 800 homes okayed earlier this week

Associated Press , 12:53 , 01.20.21

Thousands of Bnei Brak students return to school despite lockdown

Parents in the predominantly ultra-orthodox city say they have no choice but to follow orders of senior rabbis, while teachers hurl insults at police and reporters; police car also attacked with stones in a Haredi neighborhood in Jerusalem

Itay Blumenthal , 12:06 , 01.20.21

Coldest day of this winter season brings snow to Israel's north

Meteorologist say snow will continue on Mount Hermon and might spread to northern and central mountains; flood warnings issued for southern streams, coastal areas in central Israel

Danny Rup, Ahiye Raved , 11:25 , 01.20.21

Netanyahu courts Arab voters in election-year turnabout

Although he is expected only a few votes in the sector, he might pick up just enough votes to swing a tight election due to infighting within the Joint List and absence of incitement against the community in PM's campaign

Associated Press , 10:06 , 01.20.21

Trump pardons Aviem Sella, indicted in Pollard case

In his last day in office, the president also gives clemency to former top aide Steve Bannon, rappers Lil Wayne and Kodak Black and former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, who was serving a 28-year prison term on corruption charges

Reuters , 09:20 , 01.20.21

Biden State pick backs two-state solution, but doubts prospects

Anthony Blinken tells Senate recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital will remain and embassy to stay in the city, adds that administration will return to nuclear deal if Iran returns to compliance and will seek a more comprehensive agreement

AFP , 08:54 , 01.20.21

Israel sees over 8,000 new virus cases, ventilated patients at record high

Health Ministry says contagion rate now stands at 9.2%; 1,113 patients in serious condition, with 308 connected to ventilators; over 200,000 Israelis vaccinated Tuesday; ministers approve extension of lockdown until Jan. 31

Adir Yanko , 08:41 , 01.20.21

Sirens silent as Gaza rocket hits southern Israel

IDF says the rocket landed in an open area near Kibbutz Nahal Oz and no injuries or damage had been reported; Home Front Command says it knew the rocket was heading for open area and did not activate the alert system

Matan Tzuri , 21:05 , 01.19.21

Israel votes to extend lockdown until end of January

Ministers during cabinet meeting back Netanyahu's proposal to extend the lockdown until January 31 to allow health officials to expand the vaccination campaign; anyone set to depart for Israel must present negative COVID test

Ynet , 19:04 , 01.19.21

Israeli pensioners party after COVID-19 booster shots

At assisted-living facility in Netanya, residents hold a dance party to celebrate receiving their second and final vaccine shots; 'I am as happy as a free bird today,' says one resident

Reuters , 17:51 , 01.19.21

PM says lifting lockdown 'will cost lives' as cabinet spars over its extension

Netanyahu says health officials must 'go with a hammer' to Haredi, Arab sectors to boost vaccination drive; minsters also mulling closure of international airport; Gantz demands immediate enforcement of regulations in areas with high infection rate

Ynet , 17:16 , 01.19.21

Palestinians expect first COVID vaccine from Russia by weekend

Ramallah orders Sputnik V vaccine, hoping to inoculate some 50,000 of its residents by March; first shipment of 5,000 doses, intended for medical staff, has been held-up at Jordan border

Reuters , 16:20 , 01.19.21

Five rescued from floods as winter makes Israeli comeback

Firefighters extract the stranded, including a pregnant woman, at a gas station in Nesher; flood warnings issued for Western Galilee; heavy snow fall reported at the Hermon site on Golan Heights as temperatures drop to -1°C

Ahiya Raved, Danny Roup , 14:56 , 01.19.21

Edelstein: 'Miracle' that Israel has seen only 4,000 COVID-19 deaths

Health minister blames 'populist' politicians for not allowing restrictions to be put in place in time to combat spread of the pathogen, says lockdown should be extended for two more weeks, national vaccination campaign to be open to all age groups 'soon'

Adir Yanko, Attila Somfalvi , 11:37 , 01.19.21

UN to Israel: Stop new settlement construction in West Bank

Head of global body calls decision to build almost 800 homes 'major obstacle to achievement of the two-state solution' and 'flagrant violation of international law'; joins EU, UK, Israeli opposition members and Peace Now in slamming move

AFP , 11:19 , 01.19.21

Arab League head hopes Biden changes Trump Mideast policies

Ahmed Aboul Gheit says the outgoing U.S. president emboldened Israel to take 'dangerous and destructive steps', calls for a revival of the two-state solution and end of Iranian interference in regional affairs

Associated Press , 10:01 , 01.19.21

For the first time, Israel records over 10,000 new daily coronavirus cases

Health Ministry reports 1,114 patients in serious condition, with 277 of them on ventilators; contagion rate climbs to 10.2%; ministers to meet on possible further extension of lockdown and approve new travel restrictions

Yaron Druckman, Adir Yanko , 09:19 , 01.19.21

Palestinians urge EU to send monitors for May/July polls

Prime Minister Shtayyeh specifically seeks EU monitors in East Jerusalem, where he is demanding Israel allow residents to vote in the first election the PA has held since 2006

AFP , 21:37 , 01.18.21

Haredi virus czar says 12,000 students contracted coronavirus last month

Numa says youths between ages 10-16 make up age group with most morbidity in ultra-Orthodox sector; blames fake news for low Haredi turnout for COVID-19 vaccination

Kobi Nachshoni , 20:41 , 01.18.21

PM rival Saar recruits anti-Trump Republicans for campaign

Former Likud minister who founded breakaway party has reportedly hired the services of the founders of the Lincoln Project, which worked to put Biden in the White House, to advise him in March 2021 elections

i24NEWS , 18:17 , 01.18.21

Health Ministry seeks 2-week extension on national virus lockdown

Officials fear ending nationwide closure at start of weekend would encourage mass gatherings; cabinet members oppose call, with Blue & White ministers saying they would only agree if there were tighter enforcement in Haredi sector

Ynet , 15:59 , 01.18.21

Detained Kremlin foe rushed to court as Moscow tells West to butt out

Alexei Navalny's arrest earns condemnation from Europe nations, UN and sparks fresh debates on imposing sanctions on Russia, specifically on a $11.6 billion project to build a natural gas pipeline to Germany

Reuters , 15:05 , 01.18.21

Saudis vowed to stop executing minors, rights groups say

Several groups fear that loopholes in Saudi law will allow judges to impose the death sentence on juvenile offenders nonetheless under the interpretation of sharia, the Islamic law since Saudi Arabia has no civil penal code

Reuters , 14:30 , 01.18.21

Israel set to restrict air travel in bid to battle virus mutations

New measures, still awaiting government approval, include negative test requirement for anyone seeking to enter country, expanded isolation requirements for returning nationals, limits on international flights; health expert calls for airport to be completely closed

Ynet , 13:05 , 01.18.21

Israel moves to rein in rights group over ‘apartheid’ use

Government banning organizations that use term from lecturing at schools, adamantly rejects term, saying restrictions in Gaza and West Bank are temporary measures needed for security

Associated Press , 11:49 , 01.18.21

UAE delays visa waiver for Israelis over COVID infections

Abu Dhabi dismisses claim that move is connected to Israeli decision to quarantine all nationals returning from UAE; exemptions had been heavily criticized by Israeli defense officials for restricting security checks

Itamar Eichner, Itay Blumenthal , 11:00 , 01.18.21

Israeli jets hit Hamas targets in Gaza after rockets fired toward Ashdod

IDF says it's currently investigating whether the launch directed at the sea near the southern city, was carried out by Hamas or by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad; Hamas accuses Israel of failing to honor its truce obligations

Associated Press, Ynet , 08:55 , 01.18.21

Israel sees only 5,616 new virus cases but staggering 9.1% infection rate

Health Ministry says 5 patients passed away since midnight Monday, putting Israel's coronavirus death toll at 4,005; meanwhile, 23.81% of Israelis received the first COVID-19 vaccine jab and 3.48% received the second

Ynet , 08:40 , 01.18.21

Israel OKs hundreds of settlement homes in last-minute push

With settlement-friendly Trump presidency just days from over, watchdog says latest construction haul 'needlessly sets Israel on collision course with incoming Biden administration'; EU condemns move, says it's 'contrary to international law'

Associated Press , 21:53 , 01.17.21

Israel counts more than 4,000 COVID deaths, 80 over the weekend alone

Health authorities report 3,541 new coronavirus cases detected out of 81,044 tests; 1,177 patients hospitalized in serious condition, among them 282 patients on ventilators

Yaron Druckman , 21:10 , 01.17.21

Israel to start vaccinating prisoners, including Palestinians

Despite police minister Ohana's decision to inoculate Palestinian inmates last - panned as illegal by both rights groups, AG - prison service spokesperson says vaccinations to be administered to 'all prisoners, without distinction'

AFP , 20:42 , 01.17.21

Nahariya besieged by floods after cloudburst

Local government closes several streets running adjacent to Ga'aton River, places sandbags on its banks as precautionary measure and instructs residents to stay home as heavy floods hit northern city

Ahiya Raved , 18:01 , 01.17.21

City car rental levies NIS 10,000 fine for use on Shabbat

While Sderot's mayor praises new partnership with Israel's largest vehicular rental company, City Car will penalize anyone attempting to unlock one of their vehicles between sundown Friday and sundown Saturday, unless they can prove an emergency

Udi Etzion , 17:21 , 01.17.21

Iran asks watchdog not to publish 'unnecessary' nuke details

Iran pledges that production of uranium metal 'with potentially grave military implications' is done to 'design an improved type of fuel' despite being a blatant violation of the 2015 nuclear deal

Associated Press , 15:36 , 01.17.21

After 16 years, DNA solves young woman's murder

Police recently uncovered genetic evidence that helped solve the killing of 19-year-old Nadaa Barud, who was likely murdered in 2005 by her brother, who apparently objected to her lifestyle and who himself died a few days later in a brawl

Ahiya Raved , 15:32 , 01.17.21

Health Ministry: Over 600 COVID deaths in Israel in 2021

5,000 new cases of coronavirus confirmed Saturday after 69,500 tests conducted, yielding positivity rate of 7.2%; there are currently 1,115 people hospitalized in serious condition with 246 of them on ventilators

Yaron Druckman, Itamar Eichner , 11:46 , 01.17.21

Ministers to mull lockdown extension as cases surge in Haredi communities

Average positivity rate of coronavirus tests in stands at 19% in ultra-Orthodox areas, 15% in Arab sector and 5.5% for general population; Gantz to demand effective enforcement plan before agreeing to extend closure for whole country

Yaron Druckman, Itamar Eichner , 08:31 , 01.17.21

Distrust, division and doubt cloud Palestinian election call

Poll by the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research shows that majority of Palestinians believe if Hamas won the election, Abbas' Fatah would not accept the result, while Hamas would reject a Fatah victory

Reuters , 18:42 , 01.16.21

Joint Israeli-Palestinian NGO brings young entrepreneurs together

Tech2Peace is barreling ahead with plans to double the size of its intensive tech seminars in 2021 despite crippling pandemic; from Nakba to Holocaust, no topic is off-limits for participants when they are 'already becoming friends'

The Media Line , 09:08 , 01.16.21

Tel Aviv top destination for new immigrants for third straight year

According to data, some 2,305 new Israelis settled in central Israeli city in 2020, accounting for more than 10% of the 21,109 new immigrants to Israel, attracted to its cultural and nightlife scene, as well as its job market and social tolerance

The Media Line , 20:34 , 01.14.21

Police to step up lockdown enforcement over weekend

Law enforcement will operate 25 checkpoints along the nation's highways and dozens more within cities that will be manned around the clock starting 6am Friday in an effort to rein in the spread of COVID-19

Gilad Cohen , 18:46 , 01.14.21

Report: Wary of Biden track on Iran, Israel revisits military options

According to Israel Hayom, IDF crafts 3 options to 'undermine Iran's nuclear efforts' ahead of Biden's inauguration, who Israeli officials believe will rejoin 2015 nuclear agreement with Tehran

Reuters , 15:27 , 01.14.21

Health Ministry worker suspected of falsely forcing ex to quarantine 4 times

Police say a 35-year-old 'external employee' working for the ministry's call center allegedly sent messages to his former girlfriend's phone about her immediate need to enter isolation due to exposure to a virus carrier

AFP , 14:52 , 01.14.21

Iran sending 'suicide drones' to Yemen that could reach Israel

Iranian-made UAVs have range of 2,200 km, most likely deployed with Yemeni allies so Tehran can maintain plausible deniability for such an attack; IDF deploys Iron Dome to Eilat area amid warnings of Iranian retaliation for killing of key officials

Ynet , 13:34 , 01.14.21

Trump benefactor Adelson leaves controversial legacy

Billionaire, casino mogul was the driving force behind president's policy on Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which according to some was 'very much to the right, with a capital R' that resulted in a series of contentious moves by Israel

Associated Press , 11:39 , 01.14.21

Virus czar wants full lockdown extended by one week

Prof. Nachman Ash tells Ynet restrictions could be eased if the number of serious patients decreases even if the tally of daily cases remains higher than where it was when the 2 previous lockdowns were lifted

Attila Somfalvi, Adir Yanko , 11:07 , 01.14.21

Israel posts over 9,000 new daily virus cases for 3rd day in a row

Health Ministry says infection rate now stands at 7.9%; will demand the full lockdown that is set to expire in Sunday, be extended by at least one additional week due to ongoing surge in coronavirus cases

Yaron Drukman, Adir Yanko , 09:15 , 01.14.21