Mossad obtains 10 million more protective masks for Israel

It also brings a few dozen ventilators, tens of thousands of test kits, some 25,000 N95 masks, expects more medical equipment.

By YONAH JEREMY BOB
A man wears a face mask as he walks in a market in Ashkelon while Israel tightened a national stay-at-home policy following the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Ashkelon, Israel March 20, 2020. (photo credit: AMIR COHEN/REUTERS)
A man wears a face mask as he walks in a market in Ashkelon while Israel tightened a national stay-at-home policy following the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Ashkelon, Israel March 20, 2020.
(photo credit: AMIR COHEN/REUTERS)
The Mossad purchased 10 million medical masks to protect against the coronavirus more than a week ago, The Jerusalem Post has learned.
Due to the sensitivity of the information, the Post could not report it until they arrived in Israel on Monday. But it did note in a report on Friday that significant new acquisitions were on the way.
In addition to the 10 million medical masks, the Mossad brought a few dozen ventilators, tens of thousands of test kits and some 25,000 N95 surgical masks that are designed to protect the wearer from airborne particles and liquid. It expects to bring more medical equipment to the country. Mossad Director Yossi Cohen heads a special command center along with other national security units and the Health Ministry.
Last Tuesday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Cohen was taking over the country’s efforts to purchase medical equipment from abroad.
Cohen succeeded in bringing 100,000 test kits to Israel two weeks ago, with an estimated four million on the way.
The kits were obtained from countries with which Israel does not have diplomatic relations, the Post learned at the time. An Al Jazeera report said the countries were in the Persian Gulf, which could be one reason why the Mossad took the lead.