The Gaza Strip is ready to receive a coronavirus vaccine for the first time since the outbreak began, following approval from Israel.
Travelers containing 1,000 “Sputnik V” vaccines in Russia are currently making their way from the Palestinian Authority, after being overwhelmed by Israel’s political echelon. The load to be reached through the Erez crossroads.
Two weeks ago, Ramallah received around 100,000 doses of the Sputnik V vaccine as a gift from the Russian authorities, 2,000 of which were donated exclusively to the Hamas-controlled enclave.
The PA demanded that the vaccines be handed over to the Gazan authorities on Tuesday, but Israel did not approve the move.
Palestinians are expected to receive vaccines from AstraZeneca, after signing an agreement with the British – Swedish pharmaceutical company, as well as the Chinese government.
Prior to receiving the Russian vaccine, Ramallah was sent 5,000 doses by Israel to help accelerate the vaccination of PA medical teams. However, it later emerged that some of the doses were given to local government officials, prompting criticism from the public.
Israel has opposed criticism from the international community for not extending the high-speed vaccination campaign to Palestinian Territories although under Oslo Accords terms, the PA is responsible for the health care of the population and it has been said again that he is getting his own vaccines.