Thousands of children in Gaza City received their second dose of the polio vaccine over the weekend as part of an immunization campaign delayed by the ongoing Israeli offensive in northern Gaza. The United Nations and various aid organizations coordinated the efforts, despite challenges posed by limited humanitarian pauses and continued hostilities.
The vaccination campaign, initially set to start in northern Gaza on October 23, was postponed as aid agencies awaited assurances for the safety of health workers amid the bombardment. According to UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO), the delay endangered thousands of children, with 15,000 still unable to access the vaccine in regions heavily impacted by military activity. In these areas, the efficacy of the campaign remains compromised as children continue to face restricted access to healthcare.
Israel’s Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) reported that approximately 58,604 children under age 10 in northern Gaza have been vaccinated since the campaign resumed, with efforts expected to continue through Monday. The Gaza Health Ministry confirmed these numbers, indicating the significance of this immunization effort, particularly following the discovery of poliovirus traces in Gaza's wastewater in July and the first confirmed case of paralysis in a Gazan child due to the virus in 25 years.
While the vaccination campaign resumed under a tenuous ceasefire, incidents of violence still disrupted the process. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the WHO’s Director-General, reported that a healthcare center in Gaza City distributing vaccines was struck on Saturday, injuring six people, including four children. The Israeli military stated that an initial review indicated it did not conduct strikes in the area at that time. Additionally, UNICEF reported that a vehicle belonging to one of its employees, involved in the vaccination effort, came under fire from what appeared to be a quadcopter. The staff member was unharmed, but UNICEF noted the incident highlighted the dangers aid workers face in the region.
Additional Developments in the Middle East:
Hezbollah Rocket Attacks: The Israeli military reported that at least 26 rockets were fired from Lebanon into northern Israel on Sunday, with some intercepted and others falling in open areas. This incident is part of an ongoing conflict between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, with Israeli ground troops entering southern Lebanon to counter Hezbollah operations last month.
Eastern Lebanon Evacuations: In the Baalbek region of eastern Lebanon, the Israeli military issued warnings to residents to evacuate several buildings, which it claimed were used by Hezbollah. Recently, Lebanese officials reported at least 60 fatalities in the Bekaa Valley due to Israeli airstrikes.
U.S. Military Movements: In response to the rising tensions, the United States has moved B-52 Stratofortress bombers closer to the Middle East. While the exact location remains undisclosed, the repositioning aligns with U.S. efforts to deter potential Iranian retaliation against Israel.
This escalating conflict adds complexity to humanitarian operations like the vaccination campaign in Gaza, which faces ongoing challenges in securing safety for health workers and residents alike.
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