Gaza Initiates Polio Vaccination for Children Ahead of Conflict Pause

A campaign to vaccinate children in Gaza against polio has commenced, according to the Health Ministry. This initiative aims to curb the virus's spread amid ongoing military conflicts in the Hamas-controlled enclave and the occupied West Bank.

On Saturday, Israel's military reported discovering several bodies during combat in Gaza. The army is working to identify these bodies, including determining if they are hostages. "We ask to refrain from spreading rumors," the military stated, noting that the identification process would take several hours.

Vaccination Efforts Amid Conflict

On Saturday, a few children in Gaza received polio vaccines ahead of a larger rollout planned for Sunday. This effort follows an agreement between Israel and the UN World Health Organisation to pause fighting temporarily. Dr Yousef Abu Al-Rish, Gaza's deputy health minister, emphasised the need for a cease-fire to ensure vaccination teams can reach all targeted children.

Associated Press journalists observed around 10 children receiving vaccines at Nasser hospital in Khan Younis. Amal Shaheen, whose daughter was vaccinated, expressed relief: "I was terrified and waiting for the vaccination to arrive and for everyone to receive it."

Polio Outbreak Concerns

The vaccination campaign follows the detection of Gaza's first polio case in 25 years. A 10-month-old child was partially paralysed by a mutated virus strain after missing vaccinations due to ongoing conflict. Polio spreads through fecal matter, and most infected individuals show no symptoms but can still transmit the virus.

Healthcare workers have warned of a potential polio outbreak for months. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has worsened since Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel on October 7, resulting in approximately 1,200 Israeli deaths and around 250 abductions. Israel's retaliatory actions have led to over 40,000 Palestinian deaths, according to Gaza's Health Ministry.

West Bank Tensions

In the West Bank, tensions remain high as Israel continues its extensive military operations. Two car bombs exploded in Gush Etzion, an Israeli settlement bloc. The Israeli military killed both attackers after explosions at Karmei Tzur and a gas station. Additionally, a soldier died during operations in Jenin, with another severely injured.

Hamas did not claim responsibility for these attacks but praised them as "heroic operations." The militant group had previously vowed to continue such attacks following a bombing in Tel Aviv earlier this month.

International Concerns

Israel's large-scale raid into urban refugee camps in Jenin and Tulkarem has alarmed the international community. Doctors Without Borders expressed concern over the intensity of Israel's incursion and accused Israeli forces of obstructing access to health facilities and targeting ambulances.

The Israeli military reported killing 23 militants since the incursion began, including 14 in Jenin. Some residents fled Jenin amid heavy gunfire. Oroba al-Shalabi described how Israeli soldiers fired at her home despite her pleas about having small children inside.

Humanitarian Crisis

The Palestinian Health Ministry reported a significant increase in Palestinian deaths by Israeli forces, with at least 663 fatalities in the West Bank since the war began. In central Gaza, Israeli airstrikes targeted buildings housing displaced individuals in Nuseirat and Khan Younis.

The United States, Qatar, and Egypt have been mediating cease-fire talks for months. However, negotiations have stalled as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insists on "total victory" over Hamas while the militant group demands a lasting cease-fire and full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.

On Saturday night, Israelis gathered again to protest against their government and call for a deal to secure the release of remaining hostages.