Israel's assault on Gaza increased risk to unvaccinated Palestinians

Gaza City, May 25 (RHC)-- Health officials in Gaza are warning tens of thousands of Palestinians who crowded into shelters during Israel’s 11-day bombardment are at high risk of COVID-19.  Only two percent of Gazans are fully vaccinated, and Israel has refused to distribute vaccines in the Palestinian territories it occupies. 

During Israel’s assault on Gaza, an Israeli airstrike killed a prominent Palestinian doctor who was overseeing COVID cases at Gaza’s largest hospital.  Another Israeli airstrike damaged Gaza’s only COVID testing lab.

In other news, Israel’s Health Ministry says it will end all COVID-19 restrictions in June, after its mass vaccination program nearly succeeded in halting community spread of coronavirus.  Daily infections across Israel are down to double digits, with an average of just one to two COVID deaths per day.