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

Reported infections rise by 556 in 24 hours to 14,498, ending week-long trend that saw number of new carriers fall below new recoveries; ministers still pushing to reopen economy

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

Though rates have picked up in recent days, the Health Ministry has been slow to prioritize tests and has all but ignored more efficient sampling methods

As Passover curfew goes off without a hitch, Hebrew press reports restrictions will be gradually lifted after holiday; violations by Netanyahu, army spotlighted

Tensions flare in Knesset hearing over virus tests; Health Ministry's top doctor says government scouring the world for antibody tests to determine who had gotten over the virus

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

Itamar Grotto says working worst-case scenario has been 20,000 deaths, reveals new app with Shin Bet location data will allow Israelis to see if they were near a carrier

Jump of 96 sick people over day earlier, partially due to increase in number of tests given; most patients doing well, 6 remain in serious condition

Health Ministry deputy head says Israelis appeared to get message about staying inside on Wednesday, after minister warns shut down enforced by police 'inevitable'