In a time of rapid global spread of the coronavirus, most countries are able to throw all the resources at their disposal towards limiting their death toll. But this is not the case for the Palestinian enclave of Gaza where 2 million people are crammed into just 141 square miles.
After almost 14 years under an Israel imposed economic blockade, as well as coming under bombing, most recently on the 27th of March, Gaza is struggling. Medical and food supplies are rundown, many houses are in ruins, power is intermittent, and there are water quality and sanitation issues.
Israel is able to harness the advantages of a technologically and economically advanced country to combat the virus spread within its people. Its Intelligence agency Mossad recently secured 187 ventilators, 25,00 N95 masks, 20,00 virus test kits, 10 million surgical masks and 700 protective suits.
At the same time Israel is withholding $11 million a month in tax revenues belonging to Gaza, the bulk of which in the past was spent on its health system. As of two weeks ago, there were only 65 ventilators and 70 intensive care beds in Gaza according to Physicians for Human Rights.
At the time of writing, Israel where the virus struck first has 8,430 confirmed coronavirus cases and 49 deaths. In the West Bank confirmed cases stand at 225 and one death. In Gaza 12 people are reported infected.
Economically crippled Gaza, with limited outside support, has to find makeshift ways to protect itself against the virus. Its clothing factories are urgently making masks and protective clothing but face limited supplies of material. Gaza has to struggle on two fronts at the same time — containing the virus while dealing with the blockade’s restrictions on goods and movement.
'Israel needs to realise that a virus pandemic is not a time for politics or discrimination. It is a time for protecting lives, all lives.'
Concern has been raised by international aid organizations such as Oxfam that under the blockade, Palestinians in Gaza with its overcrowded refugee camps are open to a rapid spread of the virus. It has led to calls for Israel to lift the blockade and ease restrictions on humanitarian grounds. The United Nations humanitarian coordinator for Gaza, Jamie McGoldrick warned last week that a COVID-19 outbreak in the strip could have frightening consequences due to the long-term blockade, overpopulation and limited health resources.
The IfNotNow movement has launched a petition calling for the blockade to be lifted immediately and medical supplies made available to Gaza. Its members are young American Jews opposed to the occupation of the Palestinian territories. ‘With one of the highest population densities in the world, and few medical resources, it (Gaza) is one step away from a public health disaster,’ it says. The petition has 12,425 signatures so far. US presidential contender Bernie Sanders has called for removing the blockade and for Israel to lift its restrictions of humanitarian aid.
The lobby group Australian Palestine Advocacy Network has responded with an email campaign addressed to Foreign Minister Marise Payne calling for the blockade of Gaza to be lifted to allow access to urgently needed medial supplies. It appears as few as 500 test kits have been allowed into Gaza. It puts the case that as the occupying power in Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem, ‘Israel is responsible or ensuring all people have what they need to survive. As the Australian Government is so proud of its close relationship with Israel, the Foreign Minister must use this to call on Israel to take its responsibilities seriously and immediately lift the blockade of Gaza.’
Over the last week Israel allowed 1,000 test kits, protective clothing and disinfectant from the World Health Organisation into Gaza. China is sending 10,000 test kits and a number of critical ventilators. This is still short of what is needed but within Israel itself, where Palestinians are 20 per cent of the population, and in Israel controlled areas of the West Bank, the situation for Palestinians is also dire. Magen David Adom Emergency medical Services has announced it will not test any more Palestinians. Another major medical service in Israel has set up one test clinic for Palestinians and 45 for Jewish communities.
The Palestinian Authority with civil control over parts of the West Bank says there are just 205 ventilators in the territory but if the virus takes hold, 2,800 will be needed. In Israel controlled West Bank, one village erected tents as makeshift clinics only to have them torn down by Israeli soldiers. In the Jordan Valley village of Beit Iksa, settlers have reportedly spat on Palestinian cars to fuel fears about the virus.
While Israel has co-operated well with Palestinian Authority in isolating coronavirus hotspot Bethlehem, politics is dictating its response to Gaza’ plight. It has linked assistance to the return of the bodies of two soldiers killed during the 2014 bombing campaign. Israel needs to realise that a virus pandemic is not a time for politics or discrimination. It is a time for protecting lives, all lives.
Andra Jackson is a freelance writer and award winning refugee issue specialist.
Main image: Wall next to Palestinian Shuafat refugee camp (Getty images/Lior Mizrahi)