Gaza Begins Polio Vaccinations Amid Humanitarian Crisis
A polio vaccination drive was launched on Sunday in the Gaza Strip, where over 2 million residents are struggling with a dire humanitarian crisis amid the ongoing conflict between Hamas and Israel. The initiative began in central Gaza, covering areas such as Deir al-Balah and nearby refugee camps. Additional phases are planned, with vaccinations in Khan Younis starting on September 5 and northern Gaza on September 9.
The Palestinian Health Ministry is coordinating the campaign with the World Health Organization, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), and UNICEF. Vaccination centers have been set up in hospitals, clinics, schools, and shelters across the region.
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The United Nations has supplied 1.2 million doses of the oral polio vaccine, aiming to immunize approximately 640,000 children under the age of 10, each of whom will receive two doses. Iyad al-Jabri, director of al-Aqsa Hospital, blamed the deteriorating health situation in Gaza on what he described as the deliberate destruction of medical infrastructure by the Israeli military, exacerbating the spread of diseases among children.
The urgency of the vaccination campaign was highlighted after Gaza reported its first polio case in 25 years in mid-August. Mohammed Abu Rahma of the Red Crescent Society emphasized that vaccination remains the best method of prevention, with over 1,000 UNRWA employees participating in the effort. UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini called for a lasting cease-fire to ensure the campaign’s success, thanking UN teams for their involvement.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office clarified on Saturday that while a humanitarian corridor and safe areas for vaccinations have been established, there is no broader cease-fire in place.
