Oman’s Sultan Donates $26M to Confront Effects of COVID-19

Kuwaiti health workers upon receiving citizens returning from Frankfurt (AFP)
Kuwaiti health workers upon receiving citizens returning from Frankfurt (AFP)
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Oman’s Sultan Donates $26M to Confront Effects of COVID-19

Kuwaiti health workers upon receiving citizens returning from Frankfurt (AFP)
Kuwaiti health workers upon receiving citizens returning from Frankfurt (AFP)

Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tariq on Thursday donated 10 million Omani riyals (26 million US dollars) to confront the effects of the COVID-19 outbreak in the country, the Omani News Agency reported.

The donation came as Haitham bin Tariq chaired a meeting of the Supreme Committee in charge of dealing with the spread of the pandemic.

Oman's sultan stressed that the government will spare no effort to confront the new virus and limit its spread, in order to preserve the health of citizens and residents.

The number of the confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Oman has risen to 109, out of whom 23 have recovered, the health ministry announced on Thursday. Most cases were related to travels to other countries.

Meanwhile, the total number of coronavirus recovering cases in Bahrain reached 204 as of Thursday, according to the country’s ministry of health, which also revealed that another seven were discharged from quarantine after testing negative for the coronavirus.

Up to 30% of the Bahraini citizens who were evacuated from Iran on a chartered flight that arrived Wednesday night tested positive for the coronavirus (COVID-19) and are receiving treatment.

This was announced last night at a press conference of the National Taskforce for Combating the Coronavirus.

Bahraini Minister of Health Faeqa bint Saeed Al Saleh underlined Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander, and First Deputy Prime Minister’s comprehensive approach to stem the spread of COVID-19 by utilizing tailored effective and preventative strategies, such as the decision to limit public gatherings to 5 people.

The minister went on to highlight expectations regarding the upcoming closure of non-essential businesses set to take place between 26 March 2020 to April 9 2020, during which only hypermarkets, supermarkets, cold stores, bakeries, pharmacies, and banks will remain open, and restaurants will limit their service to delivery and takeout only.



MWL Condemns Israeli Forces' Burning of Hospital in Gaza

People carry the dead body of a Palestinian at Kamal Adwan Hospital, during the ongoing Israeli military operation, amid Israel-Hamas conflict, in Beit Lahiya, in the northern Gaza Strip, December 17, 2024. (Reuters)
People carry the dead body of a Palestinian at Kamal Adwan Hospital, during the ongoing Israeli military operation, amid Israel-Hamas conflict, in Beit Lahiya, in the northern Gaza Strip, December 17, 2024. (Reuters)
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MWL Condemns Israeli Forces' Burning of Hospital in Gaza

People carry the dead body of a Palestinian at Kamal Adwan Hospital, during the ongoing Israeli military operation, amid Israel-Hamas conflict, in Beit Lahiya, in the northern Gaza Strip, December 17, 2024. (Reuters)
People carry the dead body of a Palestinian at Kamal Adwan Hospital, during the ongoing Israeli military operation, amid Israel-Hamas conflict, in Beit Lahiya, in the northern Gaza Strip, December 17, 2024. (Reuters)

The Muslim World League (MWL) strongly condemned on Saturday Israeli forces for burning a hospital in the Gaza Strip and forcing the evacuation of patients and medical staff.

In a statement, MWL Secretary General and Chairman of the Organization of Muslim Scholars Sheikh Dr. Mohammed Al-Issa slammed the “horrific crimes that the Israeli forces continue to commit against civilians and civilian facilities in the Gaza Strip without deterrence, in flagrant violation of all international and humanitarian laws and norms.”

Israeli soldiers stormed and burned a hospital in isolated northern Gaza after forcibly removing staff and patients on Friday, Health Ministry officials said. The Israeli military said the hospital was being used by Hamas fighters as a base, although it did not provide evidence.

Gaza's Health Ministry said Israeli troops set fires in several parts of Kamal Adwan Hospital, including the lab and surgery department. Israel's military said there was only a small fire in an empty hospital building, and was unaware of any Israeli gunfire causing the blaze.