* Israel logs 4,085 new COVID cases: The Health Ministry reported Thursday that 4,085 Israelis have tested positive for coronavirus since midnight. With some 129,000 tests conducted, the pathogen's positivity rate has increased and now stands at 3.17% - the highest since October. The nation's R number - which indicates how many people on average one COVID patient infects - has also risen and now stands at 1.62. (Yediot Aharonot, Haaretz)
* Israel reinstates mask mandate outdoors, approves 4th dose of COVID vaccine: Director-General of the Health Ministry Professor Nachman Ash on Wednesday announced a mask mandate outdoors where more than 50 people are congregated, as of midnight on Thursday. (Yediot Aharonot, Haaretz)
* 15,00 to switch to remote studies next week: About 1,500 classes will switch to remote studies next week, in localities where the COVID infection rate is surging and the immunization rate is below 70%, this is according to the Education Ministry. (Yediot Aharonot, Haaretz, Maariv)
* IDF Secures Release of Israeli Who Crossed Into Lebanon a Month On: A 25-year-old Israeli man who had crossed into Lebanon from Israel about a month ago was repatriated by UNIFIL forces following negotiations, the Israeli military reported on Thursday. (Yediot Aharonot, Haaretz)
* Israeli Ministry Earmarks Funds to Build Synagogues in West Bank Settlements: Religious Services Minister Matan Kahana decided to allocate millions of shekels to build synagogues and religious structures in West Bank settlements, illegal outposts, and communities of former Gush Katif settlers. (Yediot Aharonot, Haaretz)
