By Thiloththama Jayasinghe, Jadetimes News
Large Vaccination Campaign in Full Gear
The United Nations, in cooperation with the Palestinian health authorities, has started a major vaccination campaign aimed at 640,000 children in the Gaza Strip. The move was made possible after an understanding between Israel and Hamas where temporary reprieves from their 11-month-old fight were allowed in order for the vaccinations to take place.
First Polio Case in 25 Years
The WHO has registered a case of partial paralysis of a baby caused by the type 2 polio virus in Gaza, which is the first incident in 25 years. The immunization campaign kicked off on Sunday in Central Gaza and will expand to all other areas over the coming days. Fighting will be frozen for at least eight hours on three consecutive days to allow the campaign.
Complex Logistical Operation, Challenges Ahead
"This is the first few hours of the first phase of a massive campaign, one of the most complex in the world," said Juliette Touma, communications director of UNRWA, the U.N. Palestinian refugee agency. The fighting pause will help the medical teams reach children with the two-drop polio vaccine, which is more vital, Touma said, adding that "this is a race against time."
Continued Fighting Despite Cooperation
Despite coordination day by day for the vaccination program, Israel continued its operations against Hamas militants in different areas of Gaza. Residents reported that Israeli troops blew up several houses in the southern town of Rafah near the Egyptian border. The tanks also remained inside the Zeitoun suburb of northern Gaza City.
Continued Casualties and Hostage Situation
In a related development, the Israeli military has announced the recovery of the bodies of six hostages from a tunnel in southern Gaza. The war, which erupted on October 7 when Hamas militants attacked southern Israel, has killed over 1,200 Israelis and more than 40,691 Palestinians, according to Gaza's health ministry.
