Abbas' rival Dahlan coordinates UAE aid to Gaza as Palestinian elections near
The United Arab Emirates has sent a new medical aid shipment to the Gaza Strip, the second in a month, to help cope with the coronavirus crisis, raising questions about the role of Fatah’s dismissed leader and President Mahmoud Abbas’ archrival Mohammed Dahlan.
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — A plant for producing liquid oxygen to help the serious cases suffering from breathing problems due to the coronavirus reached the Gaza Strip Jan. 10, through the Rafah land crossing. The oxygen production plant, the largest in Gaza, comes as part of an Emirati medical convoy offered to the Ministry of Health in the besieged enclave.
The convoy reached Gaza thanks to the efforts of the Democratic Reformist Current headed by dismissed Fatah leader Mohammed Dahlan who is based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Dahlan is Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’ main political rival.
The convoy’s arrival in the Gaza Strip coincides with Abbas’ imminent announcement of presidential decrees to set the date for the Palestinian general elections. The aid seems to be part of Dahlan’s efforts to boost his popularity in the elections.
The UAE convoy comprised large medical assistance to cope with the coronavirus crisis, including 30 ventilators, 2,000 PCR test kits, 12,000 lab coats and 10 oxygen cylinders.
