Sa'ar accuses Netanyahu of campaign meddling, says there's 'Zero chance' of party failing to pass voting threshold.

Hot, dry, weather to improve towards evening, forecasters say.

New Hope chairman and candidate for prime minister Gideon Saar voted in Tel Aviv."This is an exciting and very important day for the citizens of Israel because today we have the opportunity to bring change, and break a two year long deadlock of four elections. This change depends In voting for New Hope. All other parties have not brought change in the last two years and cannot make the changes needed. Only New Hope can unite and connect the people, and bring Israel to a better future. I call In the citizens of Israel to go out and vote for New Hope!"

German Chancellor Angela Merkel In Tuesday announced a five-day closure over Easter, citing a sharp rise in new coronavirus infections."We know that the current emergency measures will not be sufficient to stop the exponential growth," Merkel said, according to CNN."That's why the 1st of April, Maundy Thursday, and the 3rd of April will be declared rest days this year with expanded contact restrictions and a ban In gatherings from the first to the fifth of April. That means expanded closures over Easter. For five days in a row the principle is: we will stay at home."

6,114 deaths reported since beginning of pandemic. Number of active cases continues to fall sharply, with hospitalizations falling to 764.

The voter turnout as of 12:00 was 25.4% - a decrease of 2.2% compared to the previous election.

Yisrael Beytenu chief warns of 'flood' of haredi voters, calls In secular Israeli Jews to get out and vote to compensate.

Four injured after balcony collapses in residential building in central Israel.