Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz (Blue and White) has ordered the IDF to deploy hundreds of soldiers across the country, in coordination with Israel Police, to help enforce the lockdown planned for next week.
Gantz issued the order Thursday after the Coronavirus Cabinet voted to impose a new lockdown in more than 30 towns and cities across the country which are listed as “red” communities, indicating high coronavirus infection rates.
The Defense Minister also ordered the ministry’s Home Front Command to increase its activities in “red” communities, including conducting more epidemiological investigations to track the spread of the coronavirus, conducting more tests, and to assist in the distribution of food packages during the upcoming lockdown.
Earlier on Thursday, the Coronavirus Cabinet approved plans to impose lockdowns in the more than 30 towns and cities across the country which have elevated coronavirus infection rates, most of them in areas with large Arab or haredi populations.
"For an entire month, we had a high – even very high – but stable level of morbidity. In recent days there has been an increase, and a very dramatic increase yesterday," Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said after the lockdown plan was accepted.
"Today, in the Corona Cabinet, we decided to make an immediate effort to block this increase in morbidity. We made a decision to enact lockdowns on the red cities from which infection is spreading both within the cities themselves and to the rest of the population of Israel."
"I request the cooperation of every Israeli citizen in order to block this morbidity. It is important for the health of each and every one of you."
Interior Minister Aryeh Deri (Shas) and Construction and Housing Minister Yaakov Litzman (United Torah Judaism) voted against the lockdown.
The lockdown is set to begin next Monday, and will last for one week.
During the lockdown, residents will be required to stay within 500 meters of their homes. Public transportation in these areas will be curtailed and most businesses will be required to temporarily close. Schools will be closed, with the exception of special education.
Entry and exit from the areas under lockdown will be limited to essential workers.
Parts of eastern Jerusalem will be included in the lockdown, along with the following towns and cities:
1. Abu Snan
2. Umm al Fahm
3. Elad
4. I'billin
5. Buq'ata
6. Jaljulia
7. Jat
8. Bnei Brak
9. Beitar Illit
10. Beit Jan
11. Beit Shemesh
12. Dalilat al-Carmel
13. Zemer
14. Tiberias
15. Taybe
16. Tira
17. Kisra-Sumei
18. Ka'abiyye-Tabbash-Hajajre
19. Kafr Bara
20. Kafr Kana
21. Kafr Qassem
22. Lakiya
23. Sheikh Danun
24. Maale I’ron
25. Ein Mahil
26. Isfiya
27. Ar'ara
28. Fureidis
29. Qalansawe
30. Rekhasim
31. Kfar Aza