Palestine Reports More Than 2,700 Daily COVID-19 Cases

 A Palestinian woman gets vaccinated against COVID-19 at Clalit Health Services in the Palestinian neighborhood of Beit Hanina, in the Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem, on Jan. 12, 2021. (Ahmad Gharabli/AFP)
A Palestinian woman gets vaccinated against COVID-19 at Clalit Health Services in the Palestinian neighborhood of Beit Hanina, in the Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem, on Jan. 12, 2021. (Ahmad Gharabli/AFP)
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Palestine Reports More Than 2,700 Daily COVID-19 Cases

 A Palestinian woman gets vaccinated against COVID-19 at Clalit Health Services in the Palestinian neighborhood of Beit Hanina, in the Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem, on Jan. 12, 2021. (Ahmad Gharabli/AFP)
A Palestinian woman gets vaccinated against COVID-19 at Clalit Health Services in the Palestinian neighborhood of Beit Hanina, in the Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem, on Jan. 12, 2021. (Ahmad Gharabli/AFP)

Palestinian Health Minister Mai Alkaila said the country registered on Monday 2,762 new Covid-19 cases and 26 deaths.

The minister said that among the new cases, 998 infections were reported in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, while 1,764 cases were recorded in the Gaza Strip.

Alkaila said 186 Covid-19 patients are receiving treatment in intensive care units, including 54 on ventilators, while 547 others are currently hospitalized across the West Bank.

Regarding the Covid-19 vaccination rollout, Alkaila said that 146,986 people have received the vaccine so far with 113,958 in the West Bank and 33,028 in Gaza. Also, she noted that up to 14,674 people received the second dose of the vaccine.

On Saturday, the Palestinian government announced a partial easing of the lockdown measures during the upcoming holy month of Ramadan.

The movement of individuals and vehicles will be banned everyday from 8 pm to 6 am. A weekly full lockdown will be imposed on Fridays, except for pharmacies and bakeries.

Commercial stores and transportation will be allowed to work on Saturdays under strict measures.

The government had also banned weddings, parties, festivals, and any other forms of public gathering.

Meanwhile, the weekly Friday prayer will be held in public squares, while the daily Tarawih prayers will be held in mosques, as per the protocols of the Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs.

During a cabinet session on Monday, Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh said he announced the cautious easing of COVID-19 restrictions during Ramadan.

He called on residents to continue to wear masks, respect social distancing in addition to avoid iftars and public gatherings.



Israel Asks Diplomats to Seek Houthis' Listing as Terrorists

Houthi supporters hold up weapons during an anti-US and anti-Israel protest in Sanaa, Yemen, 20 December 2024. EPA/YAHYA ARHAB
Houthi supporters hold up weapons during an anti-US and anti-Israel protest in Sanaa, Yemen, 20 December 2024. EPA/YAHYA ARHAB
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Israel Asks Diplomats to Seek Houthis' Listing as Terrorists

Houthi supporters hold up weapons during an anti-US and anti-Israel protest in Sanaa, Yemen, 20 December 2024. EPA/YAHYA ARHAB
Houthi supporters hold up weapons during an anti-US and anti-Israel protest in Sanaa, Yemen, 20 December 2024. EPA/YAHYA ARHAB

Israel has instructed its diplomatic missions in Europe to try to get the Iran-backed Houthi militias in Yemen designated as a terrorist organization.

"The Houthis pose a threat not only to Israel but also to the region and the entire world. The first and most basic thing to do is to designate them as a terrorist organization," Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar said in a statement.

The Houthis have repeatedly fired drones and missiles towards Israel in what the group describes as acts of solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.

The Israeli military said on Tuesday it intercepted a projectile launched from Yemen. It was the third time in a week that fire from Yemen set off sirens in Israel.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told lawmakers on Monday that he had ordered the country's military to destroy the Houthi infrastructure in Yemen.