Avihai Chiim

Avihai Chiim is the health and welfare correspondent for Walla.


Deaf actors using sign language communicate backstage prior to their performance "Luna Park" at the "Nalaga’at Theater" in the Tel Aviv-Jaffo port, March 18, 2012.

Knesset advances bill to recognize Israeli Sign Language as first language of deaf people

 Sexual assault (Illustrative)

Assault survivors describe delays, judgment, and lack of care in Knesset testimony

A patient at a Maccabi Health Center in Jerusalem receives a vaccination against the 'H1N1' swine flu. Israeli health authorities has started vaccinating the population against swine flu. December 20, 2009.

Israeli health officials call for sanctions on anti-vaxxers as flu morbidity rate rises


Israel must leave World Health Organization, Knesset's new health committee chair says

MK Limor Son Har-Melech’s push to withdraw Israel from the WHO drew backlash from health leaders, who warned of risks to public health and international ties.

  The World Health Organization (WHO) logo is seen near its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, February 2, 2023.

Israel urges immediate vaccination as flu morbidity rises, orders 485,000 more vaccine doses

While the vaccine does not entirely prevent infection, it significantly reduces the risk of serious illness and related complications.

Flu shot

Four-year-old dies from flu in Israel's North in fifth fatal case this year

The Health Ministry emphasized that morbidity from the flu is on the rise and is calling on the public to get vaccinated as soon as possible.

 A member of the medical staff receives a flu vaccine at the department where patients suffering from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) are treated in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Havelhoehe community hospital in Berlin, Germany, October 30, 2020.

Nearly two year after disappearance: Police arrest suspect linked to missing girl Haymanut Kasau

Footage obtained by Walla shows a man arriving at the home of a young girl in Beersheba, later reportedly identified as a close friend of the missing Kasau.

Nine-year-old Haymanot Kasau.

Former IDF top lawyer Tomer-Yerushalmi released from Ichilov Hospital after nearly a month

She is expected to be summoned for questioning in the near future over the Sde Teiman leaked video affair. 

Former IDF Advocate General Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi is released to house arrest outside the Neve Tirtza Women’s Prison in Ramla, November 7, 2025.

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

A report from the National Insurance Institute (NII) shows a slight improvement in access to food across Israel, but it also shows that geographical and economic food inequality persist.

'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.’

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

The delay in appointing the committee persisted in recent months due to the lack of a sitting health minister.

Israel's Health Ministry.

Health ministry survey determines: This is the hospital Israelis are most satisfied with

The Soroka Medical Center, which was severely damaged by an Iranian missile, surpasses Sheba and Ichilov and leads the Health Ministry survey with 85% patient satisfaction.

The Soroka Medical Center leads with an 85% satisfaction rate

Forensic Institute head explains how slain Gaza hostages identified

In addition to identifying hostages, Institute of Forensic Medicine Director Dr. Chen Kugel spoke about the moment he found himself identifying the body of Hamas terrorist leader Yahya Sinwar.

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.

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.