GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — Gazans had been bragging about having no coronavirus cases — until March 22, that is, when Palestinian health officials confirmed the first two COVID-19 cases in the densely populated coastal enclave. 

The Gaza Health Ministry said two Palestinians who returned from Pakistan and entered Gaza through Egypt tested positive for the virus March 21. They have been in quarantine in the border town of Rafah since they returned March 17.

Earlier this month, Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh announced the start of emergency measures in the Palestinian territories, including the Gaza Strip, and the closure of all education facilities, borders and ports with neighboring countries for 30 days in response to the outbreak of the novel coronavirus. However, the Erez and Rafah crossings in Gaza were not closed.

For its part, fearing the spread of the virus, Israel announced March 22 that it was closing all crossings into Israel from the West Bank and Gaza. Israel had said March 17 that Palestinians entering the country to work would face tight restrictions and would no longer be allowed to move back and forth from the West Bank to Israel, but instead would be sleeping in Israel, with employers providing lodging.