In the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, Israeli military strikes have resulted in the deaths of at least 61 people in Gaza over a span of 48 hours. Among the casualties was a tragic strike on the Halima al-Sa’diyya school compound, which killed eight individuals and wounded 15 others. This escalation comes as the conflict has now persisted for 11 months, with failed ceasefire negotiations continuing to hinder peace efforts [a1cc589b].
Adding to the fears, a recent Israeli airstrike on the Al-Jawni School on September 11, 2024, killed 18 people, including six UNRWA employees. This incident has heightened concerns among teachers and UN staff in Gaza, who now feel they are being targeted. Since the offensive began in October 2023, UNRWA has reported the loss of 220 staff members, contributing to a significant decline in morale among remaining employees [fb45f88a].
Amidst this violence, a critical polio vaccination campaign has been initiated by the United Nations and Palestinian health authorities, aiming to reach 640,500 children under 10 in Gaza. The campaign began on September 1, 2024, and is designed to vaccinate at least 90% of the targeted children, who will require two doses each [6ba28e1d]. This initiative follows the alarming confirmation of a polio case involving a 10-month-old boy, marking the first such case in Gaza in 25 years. The boy contracted a vaccine-derived variant of the virus in August 2024, highlighting the severe impact of the ongoing conflict on routine health interventions, which have led to a drop in polio immunization coverage from 99% to 90% [4ca9ab36].
The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire, with over 41,206 Palestinians reported killed since the outbreak of hostilities on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched an attack that resulted in the deaths of 1,200 Israelis and the taking of 250 hostages [a1cc589b]. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has called for concessions from both sides to facilitate a resolution, while Hamas official Hossam Badran has indicated that no new demands have been made [a1cc589b].
UNICEF has emphasized the urgent need for peace to protect children in Gaza and the West Bank, where the destruction of essential infrastructure has further endangered their safety [25763e80]. The polio vaccination campaign is a vital step in addressing the health needs of children in Gaza, even as they continue to face the challenges posed by ongoing violence and instability. The article stresses the necessity of integrated nutritional and immunization programs to combat polio effectively, especially as similar outbreaks have occurred in Indonesia and India, while Pakistan and Afghanistan remain endemic for wild polio [4ca9ab36].