The deal under which Israel was to provide Palestine with nearly one million Covid vaccines has been cancelled by the Palestinian Authority on Friday, June 18.

A deal had been formed between the two countries after Israel had decided to send off an ageing stock of vaccines, and in return, Palestine was to send off an identical number of vaccines.

However, the swap deal was later cancelled as the Palestinian Authority deemed the Pfizer doses to be on the verge of their expiry date, therefore, rendering them useless.

Palestinian Authority Health Minister Mai Alkaila mentioned to reporters that they had been told there was ample time to use the vaccine before it reached its expiration date in July or August. But, she then mentioned that the expiration date, in actuality, was in June. Thus, leaving no time for use, for which they had to be rejected.

As a response, Israel’s Prime Minister’s Office said that they had mentioned vaccines “that are about to expire soon” would be provided. However, the specifics of the use-by date had not been mentioned.

Thus prompting the further half of their response to say, "Israel will receive the same amount of doses of Pfizer in September/October 2021, on behalf of what is destined for the Palestinian Authority,"

Israeli Health Minister, Nitzan Horowitz, also mentioned the vaccine swap to be within the interests of both parties, and endeavors for co-operation between both Israel and Palestine.

Israel has been successful in providing about 55% of its eligible population with both doses of the vaccines.

About 30% of Palestinians occupying the West Banks and Gaza, were reported to have received atleast one dose of the vaccines, Palestinian officials say.

Sunnews/NT