EMERGENCY: The Coronavirus has entered Gaza

Dear Supporters,

This is bad, really bad. Palestinian officials have announced the first two cases of coronavirus in the besieged Gaza Strip. The two cases are Palestinian men who returned to Gaza from Pakistan through the Rafah crossing on Thursday, March 21. The two had dry coughs and high fevers, and were placed under quarantine and tested for COVID-19. Yesterday, their tests came back positive. 

Gaza is the third most densely populated place on earth. “Social distancing” is impossible and the virus could spread like wildfire. Due to the Israeli siege, the healthcare system in Gaza is totally unprepared to deal with this pandemic. 

This is urgent. Contact Congress, the World Health Organization, and the U.N. and ask them to speak out. Israel must immediately lift the siege. 

Tomorrow, Monday, March 23, at 11:00 AM Eastern time we will be hosting a webinar to discuss the situation with Raed Shakshak in Gaza and Geri Haynes, a palliative care consultant who just returned from Gaza two weeks ago with Washington State Physicians for Social Responsibility. Sign up here for the webinar and tell your friends and colleagues to join as well. The webinar will be co-hosted by We Are Not Numbers and the U.S. Boat to Gaza. 

Hamas has shut down restaurants, reception halls and Friday prayers at mosques, and is asking people to practice social distancing. But, Gaza is not only densely populated but is also an open-air prison where people cannot go in or out by land, sea or air. Ninety-seven percent of the water is unfit for human consumption, electricity is rationed, and even before this, medical supplies and personnel were already in extremely short supply. Health officials warn that containment and treatment under the Israeli blockade will be impossible.

Take action now! Contact Congress, the World Health Organization, and the U.N. Israel must immediately lift the siege. 

Sign up for the webinar tomorrow, Monday, March 23, at 11:00 AM to hear from people on the ground. Sign up here for the webinar 

Towards hope,
Ariel, Ann, Asia, Carley, Caty, Cody, Emily, Jodie, Leonardo, Makena, Medea, Michelle, Nancy, Paki, Teri, and Tighe