The Ministry of Health announced this evening (Wednesday) that as of midnight, 1,326 new coronavirus patients had been diagnosed, bringing the number of active patients in Israel to 32,060.The rise in the number of critically-ill patients in the country continues. It currently stands at 273 - an increase of 20 from yesterday, bringing the total number of local patients to an all-time high, with 55,695 individuals diagnosed since the outbreak of the virus. 430 have succumbed to the disease.The city with the highest amount of CV-19 patients in serious condition remains Jerusalem, where 1,728 new patients were diagnosed over the past week alone. 961 patients have been diagnosed over that time period in Bnei Brak, 443 in Tel Aviv, 406 in Beitar Ilit, 400 in Beit Shemesh, and 340 in Petach Tikva.

Professor at the Al-Umma University in Gaza and political commentator at Palestine News Dr. Husam Al-Dajani alleged that the two soldiers pronounced dead during operation Protective Edge were alive and being held hostage by Hamas.Al-Dajani called the soldiers' families to exert pressure Israel's government to release Hamas security terrorists in return for the soldiers and additional Israelis held by the terrorist group. He also claimed that there were a number of measures the soldiers' families could undertake to secure the release of their loved es and that among these were:1. The full understanding that Netanyahu and Gantz had the capacity to get a deal done.2. Realization that the blockade Gaza and Israel's aggression would not help in furthering the matter.3. A national campaign to pressure the Israeli government to acquiesce to Hamas demands. Al-Dajani noted that if such a campaign were to be carried out, it would make the soldiers' families as well as those of 6,500 "security prisoners" in Israeli jails "very happy."

DM Gantz said that Israel was prepared to normalize ties with Gaza as soon as the bodies of IDF soldiers killed during Operation Protective Edge were returned home and two captives held by Hamas were provided safe passage to Israel.Gantz said there was nothing standing in the way of Israel helping make Gaza "a normal place to live" if the hostages were released.

Reporter for CNN affiliate went from reporting coronavirus to spending 11 days in the hospital fighting it.

After a petition was launched to have the American food chain Trader Joe's change a number of its product labels accounts of leading "a narrative of exoticism that perpetuates harmful stereotypes," store management said it was in the process of acquiescing to the demands. According to the petition, "The Trader Joe"s branding is racist because it exoticizes other cultures &mdash it presents 'Joe' as the default 'normal' and the other characters falling outside of it &mdash they are 'Arabian Joe,' 'Trader José,' and 'Trader Joe San,'...The common thread between all of these transgressions is the perpetuation of exoticism, the goal of which is not to appreciate other cultures, but to further other and distance them from the perceived 'normal.'"A number of traditional American labels including Aunt Jemima Pancakes and the NFL's Washington Redskins have already altered their original names.

On Wednesday rap mogul and 2020 presidential candidate Kanye West alluded to an apparent falling-out he had with reality star wife Kim Kardashian. "I been trying to get divorced since Kim met with Meek at the Warldolf for prison reform," he tweeted, taking down the post minutes later.According to reports, Monday, West said Kardashian had been trying to have him locked up. He also compared himself with late S. African leader Nelson Mandela.Billionaire Elon Musk, whom West appointed to be his campaign advisor along with wife Kardashian, said he felt West "[seemed] to be fine," after a tweet asking to "Save Kanye" had been posted.Kardashian later released a statement, claiming among other things, that West has been diagnosed with bi-polar disorder and appealed for understanding behalf of her husband's fans, concluding, "I kindly ask that the media and public give us the compassion and empathy that is needed so that we can get through this. Thank you for those who have expressed concern for Kanye's well being (sic) and for your understanding. With Love and Gratitude, Kim Kardashian West.

Wife of rapper who announced presidential run discusses her husband's bipolar disorder.

Minister Galant tells Knesset that coronavirus infection rates in educational institutions are now lower than in the general population.