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April 9, 2020

Palestinians Plead for Lifting of Gaza Blockade as Coronavirus Tests Run Out
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Human rights groups are calling on Israel to urgently lift its blockade
of occupied Gaza and the West Bank to allow the flow of medical
supplies, equipment and medical personnel needed to stem the spread of
the coronavirus and to treat COVID-19 patients. This comes as
Palestinian health officials say Gaza has run out of coronavirus test
kits and are pleading with international organizations for more
ventilators and beds for intensive care units.

Meanwhile, the Pentagon has gifted 1 million surgical masks to the
Israel Defense Forces, as soldiers remain on patrol in occupied
Palestinian territories during the outbreak.

The Israeli government has ordered Palestinians who hold permits to work
in Israel to download a smartphone app giving Israel's military access
to personal and GPS location data - and even to cameras.


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