Israel vows to take action against 'new outbreak' amid delta variant fears

Its members will include foreign minister Yair Lapid, defense minister Benny Gantz and other key figures, according to local media reports.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Mr Bennett also expressed concern about the pace of Israel’s vaccination drive and stressed that most of its supply of doses will expire by the end of next month. 

Israeli media reported that another shipment is expected to arrive in a few months.

The country has begun offering vaccinations to teenagers aged 12 and over. "I can tell you, as the father of children this age, I am taking my children to be vaccinated," Mr Bennett said in his speech.

Two hundred and seventy inspectors will be mobilised to ensure strict compliance in the wake of “massive” quarantine violations, Mr Bennett said. 

Israel will discourage foreign trips unless essential, ask all those who enter into the country to have a PCR test and return to enforcing mask-wearing at Ben-Gurion International Airport, he said.

Further announcements are expected in the coming days.

“We do not want to return to the days of general lockdown or lockdowns in cities. We can avoid this. It depends on you alone,” Bennett said.