Avihai Chiim

Avihai Chiim is the health and welfare correspondent for Walla.


'THERE IS such a big supply of food and so many hungry people; the problem is in the distribution and in the method of getting it out there.’

Nearly three million Israelis face food insecurity, including one million children, report finds

Israel's Health Ministry.

Israeli gov't approves 2026 health cm'tee to approve medications, tech with NIS 650 budget

Doctor Chen Kugel, head of Israel National Center of Forensic Medicine and his colleague, pass through a police cordon as they enter China's ambassador to Israel, Du Wei's house in Herzliya, near Tel Aviv, Israel May 17, 2020.

Forensic Institute head explains how slain Gaza hostages identified


Israel deports first Eritrean regime supporter after 14 years in the country

At 9:00 a.m., the Enforcement and Foreigners Administration of the Population and Immigration Authority began the deportation process.

The Eritrean regime-supporter being deported from Israel. November 3, 2025.

Over 1,700 cases of measles diagnosed in Israel

The areas currently defined as outbreak zones are Jerusalem, Beit Shemesh, Bnei Brak, Harish, Modi’in Illit, Nof Hagalil, Kiryat Gat, Ashdod, and Safed.

Cases of the measles rise in Israel.

Mental health crisis deepens for communities hit by October 7 attack

Two years on, many Gaza border and northern residents report worsening trauma, job loss, and fear of another October 7-style attack.

 Rita Lifshitz at her home in Kibbutz Nir Oz.

WHO: No evidence linking paracetamol use during pregnancy to autism

The clarification followed remarks by US President Donald Trump, who had claimed such a connection existed at a press conference earlier that day.

Tylenol is displayed for sale at a pharmacy in New York City, New York, US, September 5, 2025.

Hostage mother: 'Netanyahu will forever be remembered as a murderer'

Einav Zangauker, the mother of hostage Matan Zangauker, said: "This is the 715th day that our children have been going through a Holocaust in the Hamas tunnels."

Einav Zangauker, mother of Israeli hostage Matan Zangauker, holds a placard with a picture of him at a protest to demand the return of all hostages and an end to the war in Gaza, in Tel Aviv, Israel, August 17, 2025.

More Israelis emigrated than arrived over past year, CBS report reveals

On the eve of Rosh Hashanah, Israel’s population stands at approximately 10.148 million, after passing the 10 million mark in the last year.

Israelis walk their dogs on haBima Square in Tel Aviv. September 17, 2025.

'Prime Minister, you chose war over a deal': Hostage families protest outside of PM's residence

Later, US President Trump posted a picture of a banner reading "President Trump, save the hostages now!" from protests at Hostages' Square. 

Israeli police forces remove protesters outside the residence of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem, during a demonstration against the ongoing war and amid calls for the release of the hostages, September 16, 2025.

Reservists more resilient than conscripts during Operation Swords of Iron, study finds

New research highlights psychological gap between soldier groups; urges mentoring programs.

 IDF soldier seen walking between two armored vehicles in Gaza, December 20, 2023.

'We need everyone back': Hostage families, healthcare workers call for hostage deal

"Today, we pause to remind you: The return of all the hostages, alive or deceased, is essential for rebuilding our society in Israel," said Professor Hagai Levine.

Families of hostages held in the Gaza Strip attend an emergency confrence for their released at Shamir Medical Center in Be'er Ya'akov, August 17, 2025.

Healing the battlefield: IDF opens mental health access for soldiers within 24 hours

IDF soldiers are suffering from sleep disturbances, concentration issues, anxiety, mood swings, decreased appetite and more.

 An IDF soldier walks near the Israel-Gaza border, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, in southern Israel, December 31, 2023.