Netanyahu makes a statement ahead of 2nd lockdown

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned that authorities "may have no choice" but to enact even tighter measures as the country heads into a second lockdown after a months-long rise in coronavirus cases. In a televised address on Thursday, Netanyahu predicted that other countries would also be forced to impose new closures to contain the pandemic. Israeli authorities will impose widespread restrictions starting Friday, with many businesses closed and people largely confined to their homes.

A similar lockdown last spring contained the outbreak largely, but the daily case numbers grew rapidly after the economy was reopened suddenly in May. Israel has reported more than 172,000 cases since the start of the outbreak, including at least 1,163 deaths.