GAZA, March 31 (Xinhua) -- Israel on Tuesday allowed the shipment of medical supplies and maintenance equipment to the Gaza Strip to combat COVID-19, Israeli and Palestinian officials said.
Abdulatif el-Haj, director of international cooperation in the Hamas-ruled Ministry of Health told Xinhua on Tuesday that his ministry received the medical supplies and maintenance equipment.
"It includes maintenance equipment for a computerized tomography scanning device for the European Hospital in the southern Gaza Strip, and laboratory materials for HIV medical examinations," el-Haj said.
He added that the scanning device remained out of work for several months due to the Israeli postponement of allowing medical equipment in Gaza.
El-Haj explained that about 1,650 laboratory materials were shipped to Gaza on Tuesday, "in addition to hundreds of protective clothing for the laboratory staff. "
"That is not enough for the Gaza Strip, because thousands of medical personnel need protective clothing," said the director.
The medical supplies and maintenance equipment were brought to the Gaza Strip through the Israeli-controlled Erez Crossing Point on the borders with Israel in coordination with the World Health Organization (WHO).
Eyad Sarhan, the Israeli commander of the headquarters of liaison with the Palestinian side said in a press statement that his office cooperates with WHO to help improve the health system in the Gaza Strip.
"We provide the Gaza Strip populations the best solutions not only in health sector but also in other different sectors," said Sarhan.
He added that "Israel contributes to preventing the spread of the coronavirus in the Gaza Strip by taking an active role in global efforts in this regard."
The Gaza Strip, home to two million Palestinians, is ruled by Islamic Hamas Movement and has been under an Israeli blockade for more than 13 years.
Health Ministry officials in Gaza said that 10 cases infected with the virus had been recorded amid fear that a lack of medical supplies may lead to a disaster if the epidemic spreads in the coastal enclave.
They had earlier said on Tuesday that the Health Ministry prepared 400 beds in the European Hospital in southern Gaza Strip to receive new cases as the ministry prepares to make tests for around 2,000 people soon.
UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Nickolay Mladenov warned that the situation in the Gaza Strip is worrying.
"The only sustainable solution to the Gaza Strip's challenges is the political solution," said Mladenov.
He added that "this requires concrete steps to ensure the reunification of the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, under one legitimate Palestinian national authority based on previous reconciliation agreements."
