NGOs have warned of “catastrophic” consequences should the disease spread among Gaza’s 2-million population, but until recently the blockade had shielded the 25-mile-long coastal enclave from the worst of the pandemic. There are now more than 39,000 people with COVID in the West Bank, with a further 2,000 in Gaza, according to UNOCHA.Ī 12-year-long Israeli–Egyptian air, land, and sea blockade restricts the movement of people and goods in and out of Gaza, which is administered by Hamas. Deteriorating relations “significantly compounded” the health sector’s ability to respond to a surge in cases in the West Bank, and improve prevention efforts in Gaza, the UN’s Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process said in a statement at the time. Security Council commended joint efforts between Israel and the Palestinian Authority to limit the spread of COVID-19 in the occupied territories, but said in July that a breakdown in co-operation had put lives at risk. What’s the situation like in the West Bank and Gaza Strip? Israel’s finance ministry has estimated the cost of the second lockdown at $1.88billion. Schools, which Israel reopened after its first lockdown in May, are set to close for the entire period. The new measures will shutter shopping malls and other non-essential stores, and nix in-restaurant dining-pharmacies and supermarkets are allowed to remain open. “This is not the kind of holiday we are used to,” Netanyahu told Israelis, “And we certainly won’t be able to celebrate with our extended families.” While complicated rules govern how many people are permitted to congregate for prayers at synagogues-with the number varying according to local infection rates-traveling to meet relatives is unlikely to be permitted, reports Israel’s Haaretz. 27 Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. The period also encompasses Simchat Torah and on Sept. The lockdown period is slated to begin hours before the start of Rosh Hashanah, or Jewish New Year, this Friday and last for three weeks. But the most stringent measure appears to be an order for Israelis to stay within 500 meters of their homes, with fines imposed on those who venture further for non-essential reasons. The official regulations are still being debated in parliament and are subject to change. On Monday, one overburdened hospital in northern Israel announced it would not be accepting any more coronavirus patients because of overcrowding. Ahead of religious holidays that traditionally see Israelis gather with relatives at home, or attend prayers in synagogues, hospital directors have warned Israel’s parliament that the healthcare system risks collapse if cases keep rising. In recent days, Israel has registered between 3,000 and 4,000 new cases daily and there are currently more than 40,000 active cases in a country of just 9-million people. Those plans have changed in light of Israel’s soaring infection rate. With Israel still in recession and the unemployment rate above 25% Gamzu said he had no plans to reimpose lockdown measures. Shortly after Gamzu took up the post in July, he told local television networks that the “socioeconomic trauma” inflicted by COVID restrictions was greater than its health impact. The shutdown comes on the recommendation of Israel’s Health Ministry and Netanyahu’s coronavirus czar, Ronni Gamzu. Why is Israel locking down for a second time?
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