Israel prevents delivery of Coronavirus Vaccine to Gaza

Israeli media revealed the reason for returning a quantity of Coronavirus vaccines sent by the Palestinian Authority to the Gaza Strip.

According to the Hebrew “Kan” channel, the Palestinian Authority delivered a batch of Russian-made Coronavirus vaccines "Sputnik v", to the Beitunia land crossing in preparation for transferring them to the Gaza Strip.

But they were returned to Ramallah, the status quo capital of the Palestinian Authority because the political leadership in Israel has not yet agreed to the Palestinian authority's request to transfer the vaccines to the Gaza Strip.

The Palestinian Minister of Health, Mai Al-Kaila, said on Monday, that "the Israeli occupation authorities have prevented the entry of anti-Coronavirus vaccines, which the ministry conducted into the Gaza Strip."

Al-Kaila added that the Israeli authorities bear full responsibility for this arbitrary procedure, which is contrary to all customs, laws, and international agreements.

On the other hand, the Israeli "Kan" channel claimed that the Palestinian Authority had secretly transferred a batch of Russian "Sputnik V" anti-Coronavirus vaccine to Jordan.

The channel pointed out that "the quantity that was transferred is 200 Russian "Sputnik V" doses of the Russian vaccine, as it was transported last Thursday through the Karama land crossing and delivered these doses to the Jordanian General Intelligence Agency.

The Israeli channel  pointed out that "it is not clear whether the vaccines are intended for the Jordanian defense establishment or for Palestinian officials residing in Jordan."

She continued to say that these doses were intended for the medical staff working in the intensive care rooms designated for COVID-19 patients, and the staff working in the emergency departments."

The Palestinian minister stressed that "the Palestinian government and the Ministry of Health are communicating with international organizations to bring vaccines into Gaza as quickly as possible to put the disease caused by the COVID-19 under control.