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Hamas quietly allows Gaza doctors to get COVID-19 training in Israel

Gazan medical staff received training inside Israel on the novel coronavirus in unpublicized coordination between Hamas and Israel.
GAZA CITY, GAZA - MARCH 20: Doctor Mohammed Guneym preaches Friday sermon on precautions against coronavirus (Covid-19) during Friday prayer at Great Mosque of Gaza also known as the Great Omari Mosque in Gaza City, Gaza on March 20, 2020. (Photo by Ali Jadallah/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — Palestinian medical personnel from Gaza reportedly received training in Israel to deal with the novel coronavirus, raising questions among Palestinians about whether the training came through coordination between Israel and the Hamas government in Gaza, the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah or perhaps a humanitarian group.

On April 11, Israeli state-owned TV channel Kan reported that Israeli teams have trained doctors, nurses and other medical workers in Gaza on treating COVID-19 patients. The report said a team from Sheba Medical Center in Ramat Gan, Israel, held a training course several hours long for about 20 medical workers from Gaza at the Erez crossing.

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