Gaza Conflict Intensifies as Polio Vaccination Campaign Continues

In the past 24 hours, Israeli military operations in the Gaza Strip have resulted in the deaths of 48 Palestinians, according to Palestinian officials. This escalation occurs as a crucial polio vaccination campaign for children in the enclave enters its second day.

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), established in 1949, reported that approximately 87,000 children received vaccinations on the first day of the campaign. The World Health Organization (WHO), founded in 1948, confirmed these figures. The vaccination effort aims to reach 640,000 children in Gaza, highlighting the urgent need for healthcare interventions in the region.

Hamas and Israel have agreed to brief pauses in hostilities to facilitate the vaccination campaign. This temporary respite comes amidst ongoing military confrontations, with the armed wings of Hamas and Islamic Jihad reporting engagements with Israeli forces across various parts of Gaza.

The reemergence of polio in Gaza after 25 years underscores the deteriorating health situation in the territory. Polio, a highly infectious viral disease that can cause paralysis and death, particularly threatens children under two years old. The WHO attributes the resurgence to a decline in routine vaccinations in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

UNRWA has reiterated its call for an immediate ceasefire to ensure the success and safety of the vaccination campaign. The agency emphasized the critical need for a cessation of hostilities, stating, "What they need most is a #CeasefireNow."

The conflict, now in its eleventh month, has had devastating consequences. Palestinian health authorities report 40,786 fatalities and over 94,000 injuries in Gaza since the war began. The Gaza Strip, one of the world's most densely populated areas with approximately 2 million inhabitants, has been under blockade by Israel and Egypt since 2007.

In Israel, a general strike gripped the nation on September 2, 2024, as labor unions and businesses pressured Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government to secure the release of remaining hostages. The Israeli Labor Court, established in 1969, later ordered the strike to end by 2:30 PM local time.

The ongoing conflict traces its roots to the mid-20th century, with significant events such as the First Intifada in 1987 and the Oslo Accords in 1993 marking key points in the Israeli-Palestinian relationship. As the situation continues to evolve, the international community watches closely, with the United Nations maintaining its involvement in peacekeeping efforts since 1948.

"On 1st day only, @UNRWA teams & partners reached around 87,000 children according to @WHO. Efforts are ongoing to provide children with this key vaccine, but what they need most is a #CeasefireNow"

As the conflict persists, the humanitarian situation in Gaza remains critical, with the health system under severe strain and most hospitals destroyed. The international community continues to call for a resolution to the conflict and improved conditions for civilians caught in the crossfire.