The National Corona Information and Knowledge Center has published a new report on the scope of COVID spread in Israel and recommended that the government make masks mandatory indoors, a policy that was lifted only last week.

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The report, which came out on Tuesday, cited a "real outbreak."

Some local authorities are not waiting for the national government, and the city of Kfar Saba and the Southern Sharon Regional Council have issued instructions making masks mandatory in schools and at graduation parties held in enclosed spaced.

According to the National Corona Information and Knowledge Center, "the virus coefficient and the infections are arriving from abroad – and currently include confirmed cases who arrived from abroad as well as Israelis who contracted the virus in Israel. In the past few days, there has been a rise in the number of confirmed cases, mainly in light of outbreaks in Israel, and the coefficient reflects the state of infection in the country."

The report went on to say that "however, given the high rate of vaccination in Israel, at this stage we still cannot state that the outbreak will be a long-term one, but in light of the numbers that continue to rise, we must take drastic action to cut off chains of infection to bring the outbreak under control, including reinstating some COVID restrictions (masks worn indoors.)"

Meanwhile, the Health Ministry, in conjunction with the Prime Minister's Office, is preparing to instate a system of fines for Israelis who violate COVID travel bans and visit countries Israel has labeled "red" due to high rates of COVID spread and contagious variants, the ministry announced this week.

"In the past few days, we are seeing new COVID infection incidents. Led by the prime minister, on Sunday we convened a special meeting with top officials in the health and transportation ministries and the National Security Council to assess the situation. In the meeting, a decision about a series of immediate steps was taken," Health Minister Nitzan Horowitz said.

"When it comes to Israelis visiting banned countries, it turns out that the travel ban, which was established by the previous government, did not include effective enforcement measures. Led by the prime minister, we made some important decisions: within a few days, we will institute stringent enforcement at the airport for those who travel to banned countries, and heavily fine anyone who dismisses the instructions and puts the health of Israeli citizens at risk," Horowitz added.

The current list of countries to which Israelis are not permitted to travel includes Argentina Russia, Brazil, South Africa, Mexico, and India. Countries under a travel warning, but will not entail fines for Israelis who visit there, include the Seychelles, the United Arab Emirates, and the Maldives.

Of the 264 cases identified in the country since the beginning of June, 112 of them were people who flew into the country, according to the Times of Israel. 

Public health and infectious disease experts said health experts say that the majority of new cases stem from the Delta variant of the disease, which origins have been traced back to India and are thought to have been transported back to Israel by travelers returning from abroad.

On Monday, the Health Ministry announced that 88 new cases of coronavirus had been identified by 5 p.m., the highest daily number seen in months.

The figure is nearly double the 48 cases recorded on Sunday.

The last time more than 80 cases were recorded in a single day was April 29, when 94 cases were identified.

The final daily figure is likely to be even higher.

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The city of Binyamina remains the epicenter of this resumption of the epidemic, with 43 confirmed cases, making it the first city to be marked "yellow" or medium risk in months.

There are 38 cases in Jerusalem, 36 in Modi'in, and 16 cases in Tel Aviv, with all other places in the country having 15 or fewer cases.

There are a total of 387 cases nationwide, and 51 people hospitalized, including 24 in serious condition.

Ran Saar, head of the Maccabi healthcare provider, told Army Radio that he had seen a sharp increase in the number of people getting vaccinated and that authorities predicted the numbers to rise.

Saar said people shouldn't be too worried about the resumption of the outbreak, which he attributed to the Delta variant, as long as the government took care to enforce quarantines and ensure that people get tested.

However, also on Monday, head of the World Health Organization's health emergencies program Dr. Mike Ryan said at a news conference that the Delta variant was the "fastest and fittest" COVID strain yet identified, and would "pick off" vulnerable people, particularly in areas with low vaccination rates.

A sub-variant of the original "Indian variant" of COVID, Delta has the potential for greater lethality because it's more efficient in the way it transmits between humans and it will eventually find those vulnerable individuals who will become severely ill, have to be hospitalized and potentially die," Ryan said.

i24NEWS contributed to this report

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Satellite images released by the Intel Lab research group on Wednesday depict unusual activity at Sanjarian, an Iranian nuclear site, where it is believed the Islamic republic is developing shock wave generators – devices that would allow Iran to miniaturize nuclear weapons.

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According to Fox News, the images depict vehicles at the site in October 2020, and a new access road and excavation in January 2021 that was covered up in March.

The activity at the site was exposed by Israel in 2018 when documents of its existence were found in the Iranian nuclear archives apprehended by the Mossad intelligence agency.

Satellite images of #Iran #nuclear site in #Sanjarian raise alarms as @iaeaorg meets in Vienna. Analysis by @TheIntelLab in coordination and collaboration with @TheGoodISIS https://t.co/kgoXMOItZP #FoxNews

— The Intel Lab (@TheIntelLab) June 8, 2021

The information comes as the International Atomic Energy Agency is holding meetings in Vienna on a potential new nuclear deal with Tehran.

During Monday's meeting, the US accused Iran of violating the deal.

"We strongly encourage Iran to avoid any action that would prevent the collection of or IAEA access to the information necessary for it to quickly re-establish continuity of knowledge," a US statement to a meeting of IAEA's 35-nation Board of Governors said.

IAEA Director Rafael Grossi, issued a similar warning: "My expectations about this process, of course, were not met. … We have a country that has a very developed and ambitious nuclear program, which is enriching at very high levels, enriching uranium at very high levels, very close to weapons-grade."

Grossi warned that the IAEA can no longer say that Iran is not pursuing nuclear weapons.

"The Iranian government has reiterated its will to engage and to cooperate and to provide answers," Grossi said. "But they haven't done that so far. So I hope this may change, but as we speak, we haven't had any concrete progress on any of the issues."

On Monday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told Congress that "we don't know, at this stage, whether Iran is willing and able to do what it would need to do to come back into compliance" with the 2015 deal.

"I would anticipate that even in the event of a return to compliance with the JCPOA, hundreds of sanctions will remain in place, including sanctions imposed by the Trump administration. If they are not inconsistent with the JCPOA, they will remain unless and until Iran's behavior changes."

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The potential unseating of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu – Israel's longest-serving prime minister – has created renewed interest abroad in Israel's political system and in Yamina leader Naftali Bennett, who is poised to lead the new government if it gets enough votes.

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With the potential formation of a new government by the anti-Netanyahu bloc days aways, CNN ran a headline that expressed somewhat of a cautious approach in light of Netanyahu's successful efforts to thwart previous attempts to topple him: "Netanyahu's grip on power weakens."

It later discussed the political ramifications of the consequential deal between the opposition parties. "It's a seismic event in Israeli politics, and if the coalition is sworn in, it would bring an end to Netanyahu's 12 [consecutive] years as prime minister," the article said.

Conservative news outlet Fox News said in the headline that "Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu fires back at coalition effort to oust him: 'Fraud of the century,'" referring to the Likud chairman's attack on the right-wing party Yamina's decision to partner with the left in the so-called "change coalition."

Meanwhile, the BBC provided background to allow readers to understand how things had unfolded prior to the drama on Sunday. "

Russian outlet RT was also fascinated with the latest developments and even explained the complex nature of the rotating premiership that Lapid and Bennett have agreed to in principle. Al Jazeera, the Arab-language news outlet based in Qatar, focused on the split within the Right that made the "change coalition" a viable reality. "Far-right leader Bennett joins the anti-Netanyahu coalition."

France24, the international Paris-based news outlet in English, said that Bennett was the "kingmaker," for choosing to oust Netanyahu even though both are ideological right-wing allies.

Bennett's decision to join forces with the Left in order to topple Netanyahu comes amid an ongoing backlash among his voter base, with many saying he has no mandate to do so and was effectively handing over votes to the Left because of petty politics with Netanyahu.

Netanyahu on Sunday said that MKs in Bennett's Yamina party and others in various right-wing parties in the anti-Netanyahu bloc are likely going to torpedo the formation of the government they could not back a government that relies on radical left-wing lawmakers.

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Several US lawmakers on Monday questioned whether a $735 million weapons sale to Israel that President Joe Biden had approved should go through, saying it should be leveraged to force Israel to halt its campaign against Gaza Strip-Based terrorists, the Washington Post reported on Tuesday.

Operation Guardian of the Walls, launched on May 10 after Hamas fired missiles at Jerusalem, has seen Hamas and Islamic Jihad fire over 3,500 rockets at central and southern Israel. Twelve Israelis – 11 civilians and one soldier – have been killed and over 650 wounded.

IDF airstrikes on Gaza have eliminated considerable Hamas assets, including extensive parts of its grid of terror tunnels and rocket arsenals. Over 150 terrorists have been killed, including top commanders in both terrorist groups.

While the IDF maintains it is sparing no effort to minimize civilian casualties, Gaza authorities say at least 214 Palestinians have been killed, including 58 children.

#BREAKING: HFAC Chair @RepGregoryMeeks will send a letter to Biden admin in next few days requesting a delay of the sale of $735 million in precision-guided missiles to Israel.

Delay would allow lawmakers to review the sale. Idea received support among HFAC Dems in mtg. https://t.co/jRVrBqMl57

— Alex Ward (@AlexWardVox) May 17, 2021

The American arms sale, which Congress was notified of on May 5, includes Joint Direct Attack Munitions that are used to turn bombs into precision-guided missiles, according to the newspaper.

With criticism over the Biden administration's support of Israel amid the conflict growing, some lawmakers have said the sale should be stopped or at least postponed.

"Allowing this proposed sale of smart bombs to go through without putting pressure on Israel to agree to a ceasefire will only enable further carnage," a legislator on the House Foreign Affairs Committee told the Washington Post.

Congressman Gregory Meeks, head of the US State Committee, called on members of the Democratic Party to discuss a deal, saying he will send a letter to Biden calling to pause the sale, due to the escalation between the Jewish state and the Islamist terrorist group.

Under US law, the administration is required to notify Congress of such sales. Legislators then have 20 days to pass a resolution opposing the sales.

Rep. @Ilhan Omar: "It would be appalling for the Biden Administration to go through with $735 million in precision-guided weaponry to Netanyahu without any strings attached in the wake of escalating violence and attacks on civilians." pic.twitter.com/wCbMQxMx59

— Alex Ward (@AlexWardVox) May 17, 2021

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday urged all parties to end the fighting and ensure civilians are protected. He reiterated that while Israel has the right to self-defense, it also shoulders the burden to do everything in order to avoid civilian casualties.

The US has laready vetoed two United Nations Security Council statements that would condemn Israel's actions and call for a ceasefire.

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The US Food and Drug Administration announced it had approved the use of Pfizer-BIONtech's coronavirus vaccine on children aged 12 to 15, Monday night.

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The news comes one month after Pfizer announced its vaccine had been found safe and 100% effective for this age group.

Last week, Pfizer's CEO Albert Bourla said the pharmaceutical giant intended to ask for FDA approval for the use of its vaccines on children aged two to 11 starting September. He said he would also ask for approval to vaccinate children ages six months to two years old.

In the third stage of clinical trials on 12- to 15-year olds, the pharmaceutical giant found participants had developed antibodies to the virus one month after inoculation.

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Tech billionaire Elon Musk revealed Saturday that he has Asperger's syndrome. The announcement came as Musk was hosting the iconic TV show Saturday Night Live.

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Musk, who is reportedly worth upwards of $160 billion, said,  "I'm actually making history tonight as the first person with Asperger's to host SNL ... or at least the first to admit it," the Tesla CEO said during the opening monologue.

Monologue! @elonmusk pic.twitter.com/xeH1EOU79A

— Saturday Night Live - SNL (@nbcsnl) May 9, 2021

This was the first time Musk has spoken about having Asperger's, which is a mild form of autism.

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Orit Oged, an Israeli who lives in Montana, was arrested this week for allegedly being involved in the murder of a couple due to disagreements over financial issues.

Oged's partner, Cory Spurlock, was also arrested, as was the third man by the name of Bradley Kohorst,. The alleged murder was in California's Mono County, but all three reside in Missoula, Montana.

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"In the early morning of November 9, 2020, a snowplow driver discovered two bodies on the shoulder of Highway 395, approximately 10 miles north of Bridgeport," the local sheriff department said. "The victims, identified as William and Yesenia Larsen, husband and wife, from Burbank, California, had no known connection to Mono County. Due to the unusual circumstances, the deaths were investigated as a double homicide," the statement continued.

Investigators believe that there was a business connection between the victims and the alleged perpetrators.

Oged, who is in her early thirties, is from the town of Ramot in northern Israel. Ramot officials issued a statement saying that "at this point, these are only allegations, and we are doing what we can to help her."

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In a possible sign that the United States is ready to renew nuclear negotiations with Iran, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday night said, "The path to diplomacy is open."

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Speaking to National Public Radio, Blinken, however, said that from the US perspective, "Right now, Iran is still a ways away from being in compliance, so we'll have to see what it does." 

Later in the interview, when asked if there was "any move underway to reopen direct diplomacy with Iran," Blinken responded by saying, "At present, [Us president Joe Biden], I think, [has] been very clear publicly, repeatedly, about where we stand. And we'll see what, if any, reaction Iran has to that.

"At some point presumably, if there's going to be any engagement on this, that would have to require diplomacy. That's what we're in the business of," Blinken said.

Last week, as a reminder, the US secretary of state said that if Iran returns to fulfilling its obligations under the nuclear agreement, the US would do the same.  

Earlier this month, Biden said the US would not lift sanctions imposed on Iran unless it stops enriching uranium and returns to its obligations under the 2015 nuclear deal.

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US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday stopped short of endorsing the Trump administration's recognition of the Golan Heights as part of Israel, instead noting that the territory was important for Israel's security.

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Former President Donald Trump officially granted US recognition of the Golan as Israeli territory in 2019 – a dramatic shift from decades of US policy. Israel seized the Golan from Syria in the 1967 Middle East war and annexed it in 1981 in a move that is not recognized internationally.

Speaking with Wolf Blitzer of CNN's The Situation Room, Blinken was asked if the Biden administration "will continue to see the Golan Heights as part of Israel," to which he replied, "Leaving aside the legalities of that question, as a practical matter, the Golan is very important to Israel's security.

"As long as Assad is in power in Syria, as long as Iran is present in Syria, militia groups backed by Iran, the Assad regime itself – all of these pose a significant security threat to Israel, and as a practical matter, the control of the Golan in that situation I think remains of real importance to Israel's security.

"Legal questions are something else. And over time, if the situation were to change in Syria, that's something we'd look at. But we are nowhere near as that," Washington's top diplomat said.

Biden's advisers had said previously that he would not withdraw US recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the Golan.

Briefing reporters, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in response, "Look, they said they are looking at it, but I have already looked at it. As far as I am concerned, the Golan Heights will remain forever part of the State of Israel, a sovereign part.

"What, should we return it to Syria?" he added, noting the internal strife in Israel's long-time enemy. "Should we return the Golan to a situation where mass-slaughter is a danger?"

Blinken also reiterated the Biden administration's commitment to keeping the US Embassy in Jerusalem, after the Trump administration recognized the city as the capital of Israel, reversing previous US policy.

Trump was broadly in lockstep on Middle East policy with his closest ally in the region, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

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House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Sunday that the House will proceed with legislation to impeach President Donald Trump as she pushes the vice president and the Cabinet to invoke constitutional authority to force him out.

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Pelosi warned that given last week's Capitol riots, which the Democrats say the president incited, Trump has become "a threat to democracy."

According to US media, the House could take action as soon as Monday as pressure increases on Trump to step aside – something he said he would not do, as his term ends on Jan. 20.

"We will act with urgency because this President represents an imminent threat," Pelosi said in a letter late Sunday to colleagues.

"The horror of the ongoing assault on our democracy perpetrated by this President is intensified and so is the immediate need for action."

On Monday, Pelosi's leadership team will seek a vote on a resolution calling on Vice President Mike Pence and Cabinet officials to invoke the 25th Amendment, with a full House vote expected on Tuesday.

The amendment allows for the vice president and a majority of the Cabinet to declare a president unfit for office, and the vice president then becomes acting president.

After that, Pence and the Cabinet would have 24 hours to act before the House would move toward impeachment.

According to CNN, Pence has not ruled out invoking the 25th Amendment and wants to reserve the option in case Trump "becomes more unstable."

CNN cited sources inside Pence's team who said that the move was not without its risks, as invoking the 25th Amendment or even to an impeachment process could prompt Trump "to take some sort of rash action putting the nation at risk," according to the report.

House Democrats are expected to introduce articles of impeachment later on Monday. According to media reports, the strategy would be to condemn the president's actions swiftly but delay an impeachment trial in the Senate for 100 days, which would allow President-elect Joe Biden to focus on other priorities as soon as he is inaugurated Jan. 20.

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