Gaza receives first batch of vaccines
Israel approved the shipment after reportedly considering tying the delivery to the release of Israeli captives in the Hamas-run Palestinian territory.
The Gaza Strip received its first batch of coronavirus vaccines on Wednesday after Israel agreed to permit the delivery.
The Palestinian Authority said it sent 2,000 doses of the Russian Sputnik V vaccine to Gaza from Ramallah in the West Bank, the PA-run WAFA News Agency reported.
An Israeli defense official told the Associated Press that Israel approved the delivery to avoid a health crisis in the Palestinian territory. A Gaza health official said the doses would be administered to vulnerable people and then to medical staff.
The PA had accused Israel of refusing to allow coronavirus vaccines into the enclave. Palestinian Health Minister Mai Alkaila said on Monday that Israeli authorities were blocking delivery of the doses.
