In recent days, Israel has intensified its attacks on the West Bank and Gaza, leading to significant loss of life and widespread destruction, including an assault on a refugee camp that resulted in numerous civilian casualties. Amidst this turmoil, Palestinian health officials have accelerated polio vaccine efforts in Gaza, where the disease is rapidly spreading among children.
In response to this urgent health crisis, the World Health Organization has announced that Israel has agreed to a three-day pause in the conflict to allow for the polio vaccine for children across Gaza strip. This temporary ceasefire aims to address the critical need for immunization amidst ongoing violence.
It’s important to note that this is a “humanitarian pause” beginning September 1. The goal of this temporary ceasefire is to give polio vaccine to approximately 640,000 children across the Gaza Strip against polio, as reported by a WHO official. This crucial measure is aimed at combating the rapid spread of the disease amidst the ongoing conflict.
It should be highlighted that this humanitarian pause will take place in three separate stages. During each stage, fighting will be halted for three consecutive days for polio vaccine, with a break from 06:00 to 15:00 local time each day. This phased approach aims to ensure that vaccination efforts can be carried out effectively amidst the ongoing conflict.
James Kariuki, UK deputy permanent representative to the UN, stated, “We now need to see this in action and these pauses need to be long enough to deliver the 90% coverage required. When the campaign starts and thousands of vulnerable and unaccompanied children gather at vaccination sites, they must all be protected.”
On the other hand, Hamas official told the news outlets that, “We are ready to cooperate with international organisations to secure this campaign, serving and protecting more than 650,000 Palestinian children in the Gaza Strip.”