Israel’s Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) reported this week that over 3,000 coronavirus test-kits and 50,000 masks were delivered to the Palestinian Authority’s health system to offer residents aid in the fight against the coronavirus.
The medical gear was donated by the World Health Organisation for the use of medical teams working in the PA’s territories in the West Bank. COGAT coordinated the entry of the kits and equipment from Jordan through the Allenby Bridge Crossing.
The Palestinian Authority has reported 64 total confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus. One Palestinian has died after being infected.
Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories, Major General Kamil Abu Rukun, said on Wednesday: “Once more COGAT is cooperating closely with the World Health Organisation to make assistance possible in the Palestinian Authority’s struggle against the coronavirus outbreak… I commend the teamwork of the international organizations in this important shared endeavor, I wish steady good health to all the residents of the region, and I hope that we will continue to work together in the fight to halt the spread of this dangerous virus”.
Israel and the Palestinian Authority have tightened coordination over the past few weeks to contain the spread of coronavirus.
Israeli and Palestinian officials have long worked together on security and civil matters but have now set up a special mechanism in order to communicate “moment by moment” on all matters related to the virus. In additional steps, Israel has provided the PA with hundreds of coronavirus test kits, and specialist protective equipment for Palestinian health workers. Israeli and Palestinian medical professionals are also participating in joint learning workshops to combat the pandemic.
