Mossad delivers 100,000 coronavirus test kits to Israel overnight

Mossad, Israel’s espionage agency, delivered some 100,000 new coronavirus test kits collected overseas to Israeli laboratories “in an overnight operation”, Channel 12 News reported today.

According to Israel Hayom, “in the next few days, the Mossad will facilitate the delivery of 4 million additional kits”, with agency director Yossi Cohen “said to be personally overseeing the operation”.

The reports added that Mossad’s “cyber staff is currently assisting the Ministry of Health in writing unique software and applications for dealing with the virus”.

“This is an unusual event, in which all the intelligence and security agencies of the State of Israel are mobilising to assist efforts to curb the spread of the virus,” Israel Hayom added.

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Earlier this week, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that he wants Israeli labs to “reach 5,000 daily tests as part of the efforts to defeat the coronavirus outbreak”, the report noted.

Yetserday, meanwhile, “following reports that the medical teams nationwide are running dangerously low on protective gear”, the country’s Defence Minister Naftali Bennett ordered the ministry’s Procurement Administration to purchase all necessary supplies overseas.

As of this morning, according to official data, 529 Israelis have tested positive for COVID-19, with six patients considered to be in a serious condition.

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The government has urged citizens to stay at home, while cultural and recreational spaces, as well as educational institutions, have been closed.

The only foreigners allowed entry to the country are those who can prove they are able to self-isolate for two weeks upon arrival.

Israel fights with coronavirus fears – Cartoon [Sabaaneh/MiddleEastMonitor]