Gaza Polio Vaccinations Set to Resume After WHO Reports Clinic Attack

The polio vaccination initiative in north Gaza is slated to recommence on Sunday. This follows a report from the World Health Organization (WHO) indicating that six individuals, among them four children, sustained injuries after the Sheikh Radwan clinic was struck. The WHO did not identify the party responsible for the incident. However, an official from Gaza’s civil defence agency informed AFP news agency that an Israeli quadcopter conducted the strike. Israel stated it is conducting an investigation but maintains it was not responsible. Unicef, the United Nations’ children’s agency, which is assisting in the vaccination program’s implementation, characterized the attack on the Sheikh Radwan clinic as “another example of the indiscriminate strikes on civilians”. The second stage of the vaccine distribution commenced on Saturday. Its start had been delayed in October owing to severe Israeli bombardments, widespread displacement, and restricted access within the area. Gaza registered its initial polio case in 25 years during August, resulting in paralysis for a baby boy and initiating the program’s launch. The immunizations are recommencing at a time when 15 United Nations and humanitarian organizations have labeled the conditions in north Gaza as “apocalyptic,” approximately one month after an Israeli ground offensive commenced. A humanitarian cessation of hostilities has been established to facilitate the resumption of vaccinations in Gaza City, according to the WHO. This campaign is scheduled to last for three days. On Saturday, WHO chief Tedros Ghebreyesus stated in a post on X that the facility was hit “while parents were bringing their children to the life-saving polio vaccination in an area where a humanitarian pause was agreed”. Unicef’s head, Catherine Russell, reported a distinct incident in Jabalia, where a vehicle operated by a staff member “came under fire by what we believe to be a quadcopter”. Russell indicated that the driver was unharmed but remained “deeply shaken,” and she urged Israel to initiate an inquiry. The agency reported that approximately 15,000 children under the age of 10 in various north Gaza towns, including Jabalia, Beit Lahia, and Beit Hanoun, “still remain inaccessible,” meaning they will not be reached by the vaccination campaign, thereby jeopardizing its efficacy. The WHO’s objective was to administer a second dose of the oral polio vaccine to 119,000 children in the region. The organization further stated that reaching this goal “is now unlikely due to access constraints”. The initial phase of the vaccine initiative successfully vaccinated 559,000 children under 10 years old across three stages in south, central, and north Gaza, conducted between September 1 and 12. During this period, localized “humanitarian pauses” were mutually agreed upon by Israel and Palestinian factions. Nevertheless, the territory designated for the most recent humanitarian pause “has been substantially reduced” when contrasted with the first vaccination round, and is presently confined solely to Gaza City, as per the WHO. Since the inception of the polio vaccination campaign in Gaza, medical professionals have emphasized that deferrals in providing the second dose could compromise the overarching endeavors to prevent the spread of the contagious, potentially fatal illness. For transmission to be interrupted, a minimum of two doses must be administered to at least 90% of all children. Last week, the UN human rights chief declared that the Gaza conflict’s “darkest moment” is currently transpiring in the northern part of the territory. Reports indicate that hundreds of individuals have died since the Israeli military initiated a ground offensive in Beit Lahia, along with the adjacent areas of Jabalia and Beit Hanoun, on October 6. Israel stated its actions were directed against regrouping Hamas fighters. According to the WHO, a minimum of 100,000 people have been compelled to relocate from north Gaza towards Gaza City in search of safety. A collaborative statement issued on Friday by UN agencies, including the WHO, described the situation as “apocalyptic,” asserting that the entire Palestinian populace in the region faces “imminent risk of dying from disease, famine and violence”. The UN estimates that approximately 100,000 inhabitants persist in severe circumstances, experiencing acute deficiencies of food, water, and medical provisions. This week, the United States cautioned Israel to promptly augment humanitarian aid into Gaza, as a deadline nears for increasing assistance or facing reductions in American military support. The US envoy to the UN stated on Tuesday that Israel’s declarations “must be matched by action,” a condition that was “not happening.” Israel initiated a campaign aimed at dismantling Hamas, following the group’s assault on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, an event that resulted in approximately 1,200 fatalities and 251 individuals being taken captive. Since that time, over 43,300 people have died in Gaza, as reported by the territory’s Hamas-administered health ministry. Israel restricts independent access to Gaza for international journalists from media organizations, including the BBC, which complicates the verification of information on the ground. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.