Palestine extends state of emergency as Covid-19 cases rise

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has extended the state of emergency for 30 more days starting Thursday in yet another effort to contain the coronavirus pandemic.

The occupied West Bank is in a state of emergency for its ninth month in a row since cases of the virus first appeared in Palestine in early March.

In a televised speech on Wednesday night, Abbas advised Palestinians to take extra precautions to stop the high number of coronavirus cases, adding that he has instructed the government to do what is necessary to contain the disease.

"I have instructed the government to take the necessary measures to break this high curve of cases at all costs," he said.

"Today we are facing a dire new situation, and some may think that we can no longer withstand it, but the reality is that if we take the necessary action collectively and firmly from both the government and the people, then we have succeeded to a large extent in controlling the widespread of the virus," he added.

Earlier this week, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres  warned that Palestinians are facing "grim realities" because of Israel's illegal occupation, which has increased the damage of coronavirus.

"I address you today with a deep sense of worry about the grim realities in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and the diminishing prospects of resolving the conflict, which has been with the United Nations since its very creation," Guterres said in an online meeting to mark the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.

The UN chief stressed that conditions for Palestinians have been exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic, while the expansion of Israeli settlements has continued unabated.

"On the ground, the expansion of settlement planning and construction continues, while demolitions and seizures of Palestinian-owned structures by Israeli authorities across the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, reached the highest documented rate in four years," Guterres said.

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