Thursday Jun 19, 2025
NEWSLETTER
www.israelhayom.com
  • Home
  • Iran War
  • News
    • Gaza War
    • US Election Coverage
    • Middle East
    • Cyber & Internet
    • Business & Finance
  • Opinions
  • Jewish World
    • Archaeology
    • Antisemitism
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Travel
    • Fashion
    • Culture
  • Magazine
    • Feature
    • Analysis
    • Explainer
  • In Memoriam
www.israelhayom.com
  • Home
  • Iran War
  • News
    • Gaza War
    • US Election Coverage
    • Middle East
    • Cyber & Internet
    • Business & Finance
  • Opinions
  • Jewish World
    • Archaeology
    • Antisemitism
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Travel
    • Fashion
    • Culture
  • Magazine
    • Feature
    • Analysis
    • Explainer
  • In Memoriam
www.israelhayom.com
Home Special Coverage Coronavirus Outbreak

Defense Ministry wants to lead charge against coronavirus as cases exceed 1,200 

The Health Ministry should provide expert guidance, but the IDF is the only entity in Israel capable of handling an event as "dangerous and complicated" as the coronavirus epidemic, say defense officials.

by  Yoav Limor and Maytal Yasur Beit-Or
Published on  03-23-2020 09:00
Last modified: 03-23-2020 10:35
Defense Ministry wants to lead charge against coronavirus as cases exceed 1,200 Ariel Hermoni / Defense Ministry

Defense Minister Naftali Bennett and IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Aviv Kochavi (right) lead a General Staff meeting at the IDF headquarters in Tel Aviv | Photo: Ariel Hermoni / Defense Ministry

Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

The number of Israelis diagnosed with the coronavirus climbed to 1,238, including 24 people in serious condition, the Health Ministry said Monday.

According to the ministry, the majority of cases are mild. As of Sunday, 37 people have recovered from the disease.

Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook and Twitter

On Sunday, Israel's defense establishment asked for the mandate in handling the growing coronavirus crisis. Senior defense officials said that the IDF was "ready and willing to do so immediately," and that any delay could cost lives.

Under Israeli law, if the government declares a national state of emergency, the Home Front Command is authorized to assume responsibility for crisis management in civilian authorities. The military's mandate over localities elapses immediately when the state of emergency is lifted. 

In recent days, the IDF has stepped up preparations for the possibility that the Defense Ministry might take the lead in the battle against corona, even though the matter is currently designated as the responsibility of the Health Ministry, with the Defense Ministry serving an auxiliary role.

The IDF has been making independent preparations for a scenario in which the Health Ministry can no longer cope with the demands placed upon it, especially if the number of corona patients in Israel continues to rise in the next few days.

IDF Home Front Command soldiers uploading supplies for the Dan Panorama Hotel in Tel Aviv, which has been converted to house coronavirus patients (KOKO) KOKO

As part of its groundwork, the IDF has updated its special protocol for natural disasters and renamed it "Ray of Light." The directive includes preparations for extreme scenarios in which the IDF would have to take over the handling of the entire civilian economy as well as control the population.

The IDF hopes that the Israel Police will be responsible for enforcing the mandatory lockdown and other instructions to the public, but if the situation continues to worsen, the nation will be divided into sections, each of which will be placed under the command of a division. Individual cities and towns will be assigned to brigades, with battalions responsible for neighborhoods.

Meanwhile, the IDF and the Defense Ministry continue to pursue solutions for current shortages in supplies and manpower.

The Intelligence Directorate's Special Operations branch, for example, is working on adapting ventilators and manufacturing thousands of protective masks each day. Other teams are working on developing phone applications for the general public. The Defense Ministry is working with Israel's envoys abroad to locate and procure vital medical equipment. 

Tags: Coronavirus PandemicHealth MinistryIDF

Related Posts

A bat from the past? Scientists identify new Covid-like virusThomas Peter/Reuters

A bat from the past? Scientists identify new Covid-like virus

by Adi Nirman

Discovery at Wuhan facility shows virus uses similar cell entry mechanism as COVID-19.

Israel reinstates PCR tests at Ben-Gurion AirportYossi Zeliger

Israel reinstates PCR tests at Ben-Gurion Airport

by Shimon Yaish

Travelers returning from abroad can be tested for COVID at the government's expense. Testing is voluntary, for now.

Israel launches COVID vaccination campaign for children 5 and youngerGetty Images

Israel launches COVID vaccination campaign for children 5 and younger

by Maytal Yasur Beit-Or

Parents inoculating young children will be able to choose between Moderna and Pfizer shots. Healthcare providers stress the importance of...

Menu

Analysis 

Archaeology

Blogpost

Business & Finance

Culture

Exclusive

Explainer

Environment

 

Features

Health

In Brief

Jewish World

Judea and Samaria

Lifestyle

Cyber & Internet

Sports

 

Diplomacy 

Iran & The Gulf

Gaza Strip

Politics

Shopping

Terms of use

Privacy Policy

Submissions

Contact Us

About Us

The first issue of Israel Hayom appeared on July 30, 2007. Israel Hayom was founded on the belief that the Israeli public deserves better, more balanced and more accurate journalism. Journalism that speaks, not shouts. Journalism of a different kind. And free of charge.

All rights reserved to Israel Hayom

Hosted by sPD.co.il

  • Home
  • Iran War
  • News
    • Gaza War
    • US Election Coverage
    • Middle East
    • Cyber & Internet
    • Business & Finance
    • Sports
  • Opinions
  • Jewish World
    • Archaeology
    • Antisemitism
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Travel
    • Fashion
    • Culture
  • Magazine
    • Feature
    • Analysis
    • Explainer
    • Environment & Wildlife
    • Health & Wellness
  • In Memoriam
  • Subscribe to Newsletter
  • Submit your opinion
  • Terms and conditions

All rights reserved to Israel Hayom

Hosted by sPD.co.il

Newsletter

[contact-form-7 id=”508379″ html_id=”isrh_form_Newsletter_en” title=”newsletter_subscribe”]

  • Home
  • Iran War
  • News
    • Gaza War
    • US Election Coverage
    • Middle East
    • Cyber & Internet
    • Business & Finance
    • Sports
  • Opinions
  • Jewish World
    • Archaeology
    • Antisemitism
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Travel
    • Fashion
    • Culture
  • Magazine
    • Feature
    • Analysis
    • Explainer
    • Environment & Wildlife
    • Health & Wellness
  • In Memoriam
  • Subscribe to Newsletter
  • Submit your opinion
  • Terms and conditions

All rights reserved to Israel Hayom

Hosted by sPD.co.il