The deal struck yesterday "removes the prospect of a new clash" and further bombings. It allows people to focus efforts on containing the COVID-19. Among Gazans, there is a sense of “stoic resignation”. The embargo is the main emergency, blocking the entry of food and medicine.

Gaza (AsiaNews) – The agreement between Hamas and Israel "removes the prospect of a new clash" and "new bombings,” allowing "greater efforts" to contain the novel coronavirus, which has “already recorded 130 cases” in a few days, said Fr Gabriel Romanelli, parish priest in Gaza.

Since 6 August, Israel has bombed Gaza almost every day in response to the launch of incendiary balloons against its territory that sparked more than 400 fires that scorched farmland in southern Israel.

Last night, the radical Palestinian group Hamas, which has ruled the Strip since 2007, and Israel reached an agreement with Qatari mediation, to end weeks of border violence.

Speaking to AsiaNews, the Argentinian-born pastor at Holy Family Parish Church noted that it is "essential to focus on one emergency at a time. People are taking the situation with stoic resignation, neither too demoralised nor too overjoyed.”

Gazans “do not openly display emotions like joy, sadness, hope or disappointment. In this sense, they are used to being tough, not believing too much in good news nor losing faith over bad news.”

Still, the agreement is source of some happiness with, as a first result, “the reopening of the border crossing for the entry of fuel. This will guarantee more hours of electricity, internet, ventilators and refrigerators.”

“Fishing has been extended by 15 miles, but I don't know how it will be possible given the blockade and lockdown imposed by the authorities to stop the spread of the virus.”

Tensions worsened recently following the agreement between Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to establish official diplomatic relations.

As one voice, Palestinian leaders from both Hamas and Fatah slammed the deal in no uncertain terms, calling it a "stab in the back".

In mid-August, Israel cut off diesel supplies to the Strip’s only power plant, leaving the 2.2 million residents with only four hours of electricity a day.

This aggravated an already precarious situation due to the embargo in place since 2007, the numerous clashes between the two sides, and the COVID-19 pandemic, which recently spread to the Strip with local outbreaks.

The viral outbreak is very worrisome, especially in light of local conditions. Gaza has often been compared to an "open-air prison," lacking adequate medical supplies and equipment.

“This week, cases have multiplied,” said Fr Romanelli. This has led to the imposition of a curfew (8 pm to 8 am). Outside of these hours, only people with a permit from the Interior or Health Ministries can circulate.

Gaza authorities have divided the Strip into sections and Gaza City itself into blocks. Two neighbourhoods “are currently isolated. All businesses are closed; only emergency services and shops supplying basic necessities such as food and medicine are operating.”

People "are respecting the lockdown even if it is very hot, almost 31 Celsius in the morning, and it is difficult to stay closed inside crowded houses.”

In this context, the agreement between Israel and Hamas is like “palliative care that does not solve the problem at its root and does not guarantee true recovery. Of course, it can improve the situation but only peace and justice ca generate lasting remedies.”

Meanwhile, the embargo imposed by Israel continues to affect the Strip. "For six months, we have not been able to bring in hosts, which is only bread,” Fr Romanelli explained. “We have tried with the Red Cross and the United Nations, to no avail.”

"Now that there was a small opening, the COVID-19 emergency arrives. Imagine how difficult it can be to get food, medicine and other things in. This embargo remains the main emergency… At least, if it could just end.”

• gaza strip
• palestine
• israel
• covid-19
• coronavirus
• pandemic
• lockdown
• healthcare
• quarantine