2 apr 2020
The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor has denounced Israeli war minister Naftali Bennett for linking any assistance it might offer for the Gaza Strip’s efforts against coronavirus to the issue of the Israeli soldiers being held captive by the Palestinian resistance.
In a statement on Thursday, the Euro-Med Monitor described Bennett’s linking of Gaza’s urgent humanitarian needs to any other issue as an “inhumane act,” calling for keeping the humanitarian issues away from any political calculations.
Euro-Med also called for not using civilians as a means of pressure to achieve gains at the expense of their lives and safety.
In a statement on Thursday, the Euro-Med Monitor described Bennett’s linking of Gaza’s urgent humanitarian needs to any other issue as an “inhumane act,” calling for keeping the humanitarian issues away from any political calculations.
Euro-Med also called for not using civilians as a means of pressure to achieve gains at the expense of their lives and safety.
Palestinian media reports, citing Israeli sources, reported on Thursday that the Israeli government put forth a condition for shipping medical aid to the besieged Gaza Strip, for fighting the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Sources said that Israeli Defense Minister, Naftali Bennett, was quoted during a press briefing in Tel-Aviv, as saying that Israeli officials are considering sending some humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Bennett, however, conditioned this medical aid with the return of two Israeli soldiers who went missing in Gaza in 2014, when Israel carried out a large-scale offensive on the coastal enclave.
According to Reuters News Agency, Bennett stated that various levels of the Israeli government need to get involved in a thorough dialogue over ways to deliver humanitarian medical aid to Gaza, provided that such a dialogue takes into account ‘other inseparable matters’.
Bennett also added that his government will be unlikely to approve the release of Palestinian prisoners, in the near future.
The minister’s remarks came in the context of the spread of Coronavirus, across Israel, including Palestinian prisoners inside Israeli jails, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.
Israel has been imposing a tight border closure on Gaza, since 2007. Being the occupying power, according to international law, Israel is responsible for the welfare of the population under it’s control.
Back in 2014, Israeli army carried out a large-scale offensive on the besieged Gaza Strip, causing the death of thousands of Palestinians, thousands of injuries, causing widespread devastation of infrastructure and Palestinian homes.
Since then, the ruling Islamist Hamas party in Gaza, have stated that two Israeli soldiers are being held inside Gaza, but have not yet revealed their location.
Spokesperson for the Islamist Hamas party, Hazem Qasem, on Wednesday night, was quoted as saying that ‘Israeli occupation, which continues to besiege the Gaza Strip, must be held responsible for any further spread of Coronavirus across the Gaza Strip’.
He added that the situation in Gaza is getting worse by the day, as the coronavirus pandemic has entered the territory.
Sources said that Israeli Defense Minister, Naftali Bennett, was quoted during a press briefing in Tel-Aviv, as saying that Israeli officials are considering sending some humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Bennett, however, conditioned this medical aid with the return of two Israeli soldiers who went missing in Gaza in 2014, when Israel carried out a large-scale offensive on the coastal enclave.
According to Reuters News Agency, Bennett stated that various levels of the Israeli government need to get involved in a thorough dialogue over ways to deliver humanitarian medical aid to Gaza, provided that such a dialogue takes into account ‘other inseparable matters’.
Bennett also added that his government will be unlikely to approve the release of Palestinian prisoners, in the near future.
The minister’s remarks came in the context of the spread of Coronavirus, across Israel, including Palestinian prisoners inside Israeli jails, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.
Israel has been imposing a tight border closure on Gaza, since 2007. Being the occupying power, according to international law, Israel is responsible for the welfare of the population under it’s control.
Back in 2014, Israeli army carried out a large-scale offensive on the besieged Gaza Strip, causing the death of thousands of Palestinians, thousands of injuries, causing widespread devastation of infrastructure and Palestinian homes.
Since then, the ruling Islamist Hamas party in Gaza, have stated that two Israeli soldiers are being held inside Gaza, but have not yet revealed their location.
Spokesperson for the Islamist Hamas party, Hazem Qasem, on Wednesday night, was quoted as saying that ‘Israeli occupation, which continues to besiege the Gaza Strip, must be held responsible for any further spread of Coronavirus across the Gaza Strip’.
He added that the situation in Gaza is getting worse by the day, as the coronavirus pandemic has entered the territory.
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First part of the video was used by Netanyahu
Pandemic the movie 1:01:16
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PM shows a viral video from 2007 American mini-series to his ministers during a cabinet meeting, while making an assertion that Iranian authorities have been hiding the real number of coronavirus-related fatalities
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu used a video from an American TV show during his cabinet briefing on the coronavirus epidemic in Iran, claiming the footage of bodies being thrown into a garbage pit had been shot in the Islamic Republic. The video is a clip from a U.S. mini-series called "Pandemic" that was released in 2007. The clip has gone viral since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic after people took the footage out of context and claimed it was recorded recently in Iran, the Middle East's country hit the hardest by the virus. Sources said Netanyahu showed the clip to his ministers during a government meeting on Monday, while asserting that Iran was hiding the true number of coronavirus-related fatalities in the country. The prime minister said he had been shown the clip by his National Security Council chief Meir Ben-Shabat, who was later instructed by Netanyahu to send it to the ministers. There was no effort taken to validate the f. Raz Zimmit, a research fellow at the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) and an Iran expert said he had realized the clip was fake on Monday. "It was shown to minister to illustrate Netanyahu's assertions that Iran was being untruthful about the real consequences of coronavirus in that country," he said. "We must hope that on more critical matters, vigilance is exercised and the validity of video clips from social media is checked." |
The Prime Minister's Office said in response that only some ministers were sent the clip after they had asked to see it and it was made clear to the footage was found on social media and its authenticity couldn't be verified.
Health Minister Yaakov Litzman
Health officials reported on Thursday that another person has died of coronavirus, bringing the national death toll to 36, and the total number of COVID-19 cases in Israel now stands at 6,857.
The latest fatality is a 98-year-old woman, who suffered from various underlying health conditions and was hospitalized at Ein Kerem Hospital in Jerusalem.
The deceased is the fourth resident of Jerusalem's Nofim Tower sheltered living facility to have died of complications of coronavirus after many of the nursing home's tenants have contracted the pathogen.
Of the latest number, 107 people are currently in serious condition, another 127 people are in moderate condition and the rest display only mild to no symptoms.
Israel's coronavirus death toll climbs to 33, as cases tally up to 6,211
Another seven people have died from complications related to coronavirus, bringing the country's death toll to 33, health officials have confirmed Thursday. The Health Ministry said the total number of COVID-19 cases in Israel now stands at 6,211.
The latest fatalities are: a 72 and 90-year-olds both hospitalized at Ichilov Hospital in Tel Aviv, 77-year-old hospitalized at HaEmek Medical Center in Afula, a 78 and 77-year-olds both hospitalized at Barzilai Medical Center in Ashkelon, a 95-year-old treated at the Sheba Medical Center at Tel HaShomer and an 87-year-old hospitalized at Soroka Medical Center in Be'er Sheva.
Bnei Brak coronavirus cases near 1000 as Haredi cities hit hardest
The number of coronavirus patients in the predominantly Haredi city of Bnei Brak is nearing 1000 with at least 900 confirmed diagnoses so far, as ultra-Orthodox cities continue to record the sharpest rises in new COVID-19 cases, health officials said Thursday.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday announced plans to further tighten the restrictions in the central city. The move came after government came under fire for not enforcing the directives meant to fight COVID-19 on the Haredi population, many of whom do not comply with the orders.
On Wednesday morning the number of confirmed cases in Bnei Brak stood at 723, meaning that over the past 24 hours alone there has been a 25 percent increase in new diagnoses in the city.
In Jerusalem, which also has a large Haredi population, the number of new diagnoses has climbed by 13% to 916, up from 781 just 24 hours earlier.
In the Haredi settlement of Modi'in Illit, the rate of infection was similar with 15%. There are currently 70 COVID-19 patients in the settlement, up from 64 some 24 hours earlier.
Some non-Haredi cities also showed a rapid increase in new cases over the past 24 hours, with Netanya, Ashkelon and Be'er Sheva all recording a spike of over 20%.
Nevertheless, the number of infected in those cities remains relatively low, with the southern city of Ashkelon being hit the hardest out of the three, with 151 coronavirus cases.
In Tel Aviv, there has been an eight percent increase in new diagnoses over the past 24 hours, with the total number of cases now standing at 324.
Earlier, the Health Ministry said another five people have died from complications related to coronavirus, bringing the country's death toll to 31, with the total number of COVID-19 cases in Israel now standing at 6,211.
Israel's coronavirus death toll climbs to 31, as cases tally up to 6,211
Another four people have died from complications related to coronavirus, bringing the country's death toll to 29, health officials have confirmed Thursday. The Health Ministry said the total number of COVID-19 cases in Israel now stands at 6,211.
The latest fatalities are a 77-year-old hospitalized at HaEmek Medical Center in Afula, a 78-year-old hospitalized at Barzilai Medical Center in Ashkelon, a 95-year-old treated at the Sheba Medical Center at Tel HaShomer and an 87-year-old hospitalized at Soroka Medical Center in Be'er Sheva.
All four were men who suffered from underlying health conditions.
Of the latest number, 107 people are currently in serious condition, another 127 people are in moderate condition and the rest have minor symptoms.
A total of 737 people are being treated in hospital, 720 are in specially designated hotels and 3,569 are being treated at home.
The remainder are awaiting a decision on whether they will need to be hospitalized. At least 241 patients have recovered.
Israel's health minister tests positive for coronavirus
Israel's health minister, who has had frequent contact with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other top officials, has the new coronavirus, the Health Ministry announced Thursday.
Yaakov Litzman and his wife, who also has contracted the virus, are in isolation, feel well and are being treated, the statement said. Requests to enter isolation will be sent to those who came in contact with the minister in the past two weeks, the announcement said.
The DG of the Health Ministry, Moshe Bar-Siman-Tov has gone into quarantine following his close contact with the minister.
The Israeli daily Haaretz reported that the head of Israel's Mossad spy agency and the National Security Council were asked to go into isolation because of their contacts with Litzman. Netanyahu had gone into isolation previously after a top aide tested positive for the virus, but Netanyahu has so far tested negative.
Israel has gone into near-lockdown to try to contain the virus outbreak.
Israel's large, insular Ultra-Orthodox community, of which Litzman is a member, has been particularly hard hit by infections. In the early phases of the outbreak, some rabbis had pushed back or ignored government-mandated movement restrictions, but resistance appears to have diminished.
On Wednesday Netanyahu announced travel restrictions in and out of the predominately ultra-Orthodox city of Bnei Brak in efforts to slow the spread of coronavirus.
Israel has reported just over 6,000 confirmed cases of infection with the new coronavirus, and 28 people have died of COVID-19.
Health officials reported on Thursday that another person has died of coronavirus, bringing the national death toll to 36, and the total number of COVID-19 cases in Israel now stands at 6,857.
The latest fatality is a 98-year-old woman, who suffered from various underlying health conditions and was hospitalized at Ein Kerem Hospital in Jerusalem.
The deceased is the fourth resident of Jerusalem's Nofim Tower sheltered living facility to have died of complications of coronavirus after many of the nursing home's tenants have contracted the pathogen.
Of the latest number, 107 people are currently in serious condition, another 127 people are in moderate condition and the rest display only mild to no symptoms.
Israel's coronavirus death toll climbs to 33, as cases tally up to 6,211
Another seven people have died from complications related to coronavirus, bringing the country's death toll to 33, health officials have confirmed Thursday. The Health Ministry said the total number of COVID-19 cases in Israel now stands at 6,211.
The latest fatalities are: a 72 and 90-year-olds both hospitalized at Ichilov Hospital in Tel Aviv, 77-year-old hospitalized at HaEmek Medical Center in Afula, a 78 and 77-year-olds both hospitalized at Barzilai Medical Center in Ashkelon, a 95-year-old treated at the Sheba Medical Center at Tel HaShomer and an 87-year-old hospitalized at Soroka Medical Center in Be'er Sheva.
Bnei Brak coronavirus cases near 1000 as Haredi cities hit hardest
The number of coronavirus patients in the predominantly Haredi city of Bnei Brak is nearing 1000 with at least 900 confirmed diagnoses so far, as ultra-Orthodox cities continue to record the sharpest rises in new COVID-19 cases, health officials said Thursday.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday announced plans to further tighten the restrictions in the central city. The move came after government came under fire for not enforcing the directives meant to fight COVID-19 on the Haredi population, many of whom do not comply with the orders.
On Wednesday morning the number of confirmed cases in Bnei Brak stood at 723, meaning that over the past 24 hours alone there has been a 25 percent increase in new diagnoses in the city.
In Jerusalem, which also has a large Haredi population, the number of new diagnoses has climbed by 13% to 916, up from 781 just 24 hours earlier.
In the Haredi settlement of Modi'in Illit, the rate of infection was similar with 15%. There are currently 70 COVID-19 patients in the settlement, up from 64 some 24 hours earlier.
Some non-Haredi cities also showed a rapid increase in new cases over the past 24 hours, with Netanya, Ashkelon and Be'er Sheva all recording a spike of over 20%.
Nevertheless, the number of infected in those cities remains relatively low, with the southern city of Ashkelon being hit the hardest out of the three, with 151 coronavirus cases.
In Tel Aviv, there has been an eight percent increase in new diagnoses over the past 24 hours, with the total number of cases now standing at 324.
Earlier, the Health Ministry said another five people have died from complications related to coronavirus, bringing the country's death toll to 31, with the total number of COVID-19 cases in Israel now standing at 6,211.
Israel's coronavirus death toll climbs to 31, as cases tally up to 6,211
Another four people have died from complications related to coronavirus, bringing the country's death toll to 29, health officials have confirmed Thursday. The Health Ministry said the total number of COVID-19 cases in Israel now stands at 6,211.
The latest fatalities are a 77-year-old hospitalized at HaEmek Medical Center in Afula, a 78-year-old hospitalized at Barzilai Medical Center in Ashkelon, a 95-year-old treated at the Sheba Medical Center at Tel HaShomer and an 87-year-old hospitalized at Soroka Medical Center in Be'er Sheva.
All four were men who suffered from underlying health conditions.
Of the latest number, 107 people are currently in serious condition, another 127 people are in moderate condition and the rest have minor symptoms.
A total of 737 people are being treated in hospital, 720 are in specially designated hotels and 3,569 are being treated at home.
The remainder are awaiting a decision on whether they will need to be hospitalized. At least 241 patients have recovered.
Israel's health minister tests positive for coronavirus
Israel's health minister, who has had frequent contact with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other top officials, has the new coronavirus, the Health Ministry announced Thursday.
Yaakov Litzman and his wife, who also has contracted the virus, are in isolation, feel well and are being treated, the statement said. Requests to enter isolation will be sent to those who came in contact with the minister in the past two weeks, the announcement said.
The DG of the Health Ministry, Moshe Bar-Siman-Tov has gone into quarantine following his close contact with the minister.
The Israeli daily Haaretz reported that the head of Israel's Mossad spy agency and the National Security Council were asked to go into isolation because of their contacts with Litzman. Netanyahu had gone into isolation previously after a top aide tested positive for the virus, but Netanyahu has so far tested negative.
Israel has gone into near-lockdown to try to contain the virus outbreak.
Israel's large, insular Ultra-Orthodox community, of which Litzman is a member, has been particularly hard hit by infections. In the early phases of the outbreak, some rabbis had pushed back or ignored government-mandated movement restrictions, but resistance appears to have diminished.
On Wednesday Netanyahu announced travel restrictions in and out of the predominately ultra-Orthodox city of Bnei Brak in efforts to slow the spread of coronavirus.
Israel has reported just over 6,000 confirmed cases of infection with the new coronavirus, and 28 people have died of COVID-19.
