The Palestinian Authority (PA), in a statement, has said that Israel is preventing it from sending corona-virus vaccines to the Gaza Strip that are intended for frontline medical workers in the areas controlled by Hamas.
“Today, 2,000 doses of the Russian Sputnik V vaccine were transferred to enter the Gaza Strip, but the occupation authorities prevented their entry,” Palestinian Health Minister Mai al-Kaila said in a statement, on 15 February.
“These doses were intended for medical staff working in intensive care rooms designated for Covid-19 patients, and staff working in emergency departments,” the official added.
Al-kaila said that the ministry holds the Israeli authorities responsible for this arbitrary action, which goes against all laws and international agreements.
According to the statement, the vaccines had to be brought back to Ramallah for storage.
Palestine has reported 168,444 COVID-19 cases and 1,936 deaths since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic last March.