Israel is helping the Palestinian Authority and Hamas in Gaza to combat a possible outbreak of Ebola. What would they do without Israel?
Medical personnel check travelers arriving at Ben-Gurion Airport from Cairo for the Ebola virus,on October 20, 2014. (Photo: Flash90)
Israel transferred Ebola screening tools and equipment to the Palestinian Authority (PA) on Sunday, Israel’s Ynet reports.
Israel reportedly did so with the intention of helping PA officials to diagnose the virus among those entering the PA controlled territories from Jordan and the Gaza Strip. The transfer of these crucial kits was made following a Palestinian request.
Israel has taken the proper measures to secure its borders against the possible entry of a person carrying Ebola. The objective of the transfer of equipment to the PA is to prevent the possible spread of the deadly virus not only in the Gaza Strip, but in Israel as well.
The equipment includes a special thermometer that can measure a person’s temperature with no bodily contact. Palestinian medical authorities were also equipped with laboratory kits and protective suits. In the case of a suspected Ebola case, laboratory samples will be transferred from a hospital in Jericho to the World Health Organization (WHO) for inspection, through Israel, under strict security measures.
Part of the project includes the transfer of medical equipment from Israel to the Hamas terror group, which is the only authority responsible for the health of the residents of Gaza.
The Rafah Crossing from Israel into Gaza has been shut down in the past weeks due to terror attacks from Gaza and the Sinai. However, Israel made a special effort to ensure that the equipment was transferred to Gaza’s Health Ministry officials so that they can contend with a possible Ebola outbreak.
Broader Collaboration on Health Issues
Trucks loaded with aid enter the Gaza Strip from Israel through the Kerem Shalom crossing on October 12, 2014. (Photo: Abed Rahim Khatib/Flash90)
Ynet reports that the transfer of the equipment into the Gaza Strip is only a small part of the overall collaboration between Israel and the Palestinian Authority on the matter of combating the spread of Ebola, even in times of great tensions between Israel and Hamas.
Ynet further reports that regular meetings are conducted between the parties under the supervision of the Israeli civilian committee, headed by Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), Major-General Yoav Mordechai and the Palestinian Minister of Civil Affairs Hussein al-Sheikh. The meetings, which are held in Israel, are also attended by representatives from Gaza’s Health Ministry.
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Author: United with Israel