Palestinian resistance movement urges Israel to lift Gaza blockade, health sector adversely affected from barricade since 2006

According to the Anadolu news agency, the secretary general of the Islamic resistance movement urged Israel on Sunday to lift its blockade of the Gaza Strip as the novel corona virus poses a threat to all Palestinians.

In a statement, Ziad Nakhla said the Israeli authorities had to choose between ending the blockade and releasing Palestinian prisoners or facing the consequences of the coronavirus outbreak.

Nakhla warned the Israeli administration and said the movement would protect Palestinians should they face any trouble arising from the blockade.

He noted that Palestinians should adopt a firmer stance against Israel, whose blockade makes daily life difficulties.

Since 2006, Israel has imposed a blockade on the Gaza Strip, where nearly two million Palestinians live, and many sectors poorly affected, including the economy, health and education.

So far twelve people on the Gaza Strip diagnosed with the coronavirus.

After first appearing in Wuhan, China in December, the virus, officially known as COVID-19, has spread to at least 183 countries and regions, according to data compiled by U.S.-based Johns Hopkins University.

The data shows over 1.2 million cases reported worldwide, with the death toll exceeding 69,000 and over 259,000 recoveries.