A lockdown has been imposed on Gaza following the confirmation of the first cases of COVID-19 in the general population of what is viewed as the world’s largest open-air prison. It is believed that Gaza’s restricted borders had, until now, helped it escape wide spread infection.

Four cases of the coronavirus have been confirmed in a refugee camp, all from the same family. These cases were the first local transmissions of the virus in Gaza. Until now, all the other cases had been quarantined in border facilities after crossing into Gaza from Egypt and Israel.

Two million people reside in Gaza. Al Arabiyya reports that health authorities are concerned about whether the strip will be able to cope with an outbreak, due to the mix of poverty, heavily populated refugee camps and inadequate hospital facilities. Tight restrictions by both Egypt and Israel, who cite so called security concerns, have the Gaza hospitals constantly short of medical supplies. Al Arabiyya reports that one resident said, “I hope the whole world can now help Gaza. We can’t resolve this issue on our own.”

Businesses, schools and mosques were ordered to close late on Monday for at least 48 hours. While some people scrambled to buy essentials from the limited number of grocery stores and bakeries that remained open, the streets of Gaza were reportedly deserted.

Umm Muhammed Umar