Senior Palestinian official Saeb Erekat was in critical condition and breathing with a ventilator on Monday due to Covid-19, according to the Israeli hospital treating him.

Hadassah Medical Center described Mr Erekat’s case as extremely challenging given his history of health problems, including a lung transplant performed three years ago.

It said he suffered from a weak immune system and a bacterial infection in addition to Covid-19.

It added Mr Erekat, 65, was sedated and that its most senior doctors were consulting with international experts on how best to manage such a complicated case.

Mr Erekat has been one of the Palestinians’ most recognisable faces over the past 30 years, serving as their senior negotiator during on-again off-again peace talks.

He also was a top aide to the late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat and the current Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas.

A fluent English speaker, the Western-educated Mr Erekat also makes frequent appearances in the media.

He was transferred to Hadassah on Sunday at the request of the Palestinian Authority.