Israeli Defence Minister Closes Down City of Bethlehem Amid Coronavirus Outbreak - Reports

TEL AVIV (Sputnik) - Israeli Defence Minister Naftali Bennett has shut down entry to and exit from the Palestinian city of Bethlehem amid the coronavirus outbreak, Israeli Channel 13 reported Friday.

According to Channel 13, Bennett agreed upon the closure with the military leadership and the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories late on Thursday.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas announced a state of emergency Thursday. The Palestinian authorities said they were shutting down schools and universities for 30 days. Earlier on Thursday, the Palestinian Health Ministry reported seven new suspected coronavirus cases.

FILE - In this Feb. 2, 2020 file photo, a military officer wearing a protective suit gives instructions to evacuees from Wuhan, China, as they travel to a hospital after their arrival at a military base in Wroclaw, Poland

© AP Photo / Arek Rataj

According to the World Health Organisation, as of Thursday there are four confirmed cases in the Palestinian territories and 15 in Israel. The total of confirmed cases outside China has reached 14,768. Overall, more than 98,000 people have been infected worldwide, with the death toll nearly reaching 3,400.