Palestinians say vaccines could come in March, accuse Israel of shirking duty to supply them

Palestinians pray in a mosque that reopened after the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) restrictions were eased, in Gaza City January 10, 2021. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem

GAZA (Reuters) - The Palestinian Authority said on Sunday it expects to receive its first COVID-19 vaccine doses in March under a deal with drugmaker AstraZeneca, and accused Israel of shirking a duty to ensure vaccines are available in occupied territory.

While Israel has already become the world leader in vaccinations per capita, Palestinians in the Israeli-occupied West Bank and the Gaza Strip have yet to secure their first supplies.