Amid ongoing dispute, Israel agrees to supply 5,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses to Palestinians

Israel has given the green signal to transfer 5,000
coronavirus vaccine doses to the Palestinians to inoculate the front-line
medical workers, Benny Gantz, the office of Israel’s defence minister, said, the
Associated Press reports.

This is Israel’s first attempt at stretching a helping hand
to the Palestinians, confirming the transfer of vaccine.

World Health Organization (WHO), UN officials and human
rights groups have voiced concerns regarding the discrepancy between Israel and
Palestinians, living in the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip. UN experts said
that Israel is accountable for the people living in Palestine. However, Israel
has refused to take any responsibility. They cited the interim peace agreements
of the 1990s.

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Israel is leading in immunising its population after signing
deals with Pfizer and Moderna. So far, more than three million people have
received the first of the two Pfizer jabs.

The Palestinians have not begun their inoculation drive, and
were not available for comment.

The Palestinian Authority has reportedly not asked for
Israel’s assistance in getting the vaccines. However, they have announced
agreements detailing procuring vaccines from four vaccine providers including the
makers of Russia’s Sputnik V.

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While human rights groups are building pressure on Israel to
vaccinations of 2.8 million Palestinians in the West Bank and two million in
Gaza, Hamas, the Islamist group controlling the Gaza strip, is not likely to
join hands with the Israel.