In Focus: Strikes on Gaza polio vaccine campaign and UNICEF staff member

Last updated on November 5th, 2024 at 09:34 am

The northern Gaza polio vaccination drive seeks to reach more than 100,000 children to ensure that the paralysing virus does not spread across the besieged Palestinian enclave or the region. It started on Saturday and is scheduled to continue through Monday.

UN agencies and partners have been addressing the health needs during an agreed-upon humanitarian pause. Eradicated 25 years back, polio came back earlier this year as the ongoing Israel-Hamas fighting destroys Gaza’s fragile health infrastructure.

More than 58,600 children received a second polio vaccine dose on Saturday, according to the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF). The campaign has been prone to several challenges though. Parents need safety to bring their children to the camp, as do the teams.

Indiscriminate strikes on civilians in Gaza

UNICEF chief Catherine Russell issued a statement late Saturday, stressing that the attacks on Jabalia, the vaccination clinic and the UN staff member are yet further examples of the grave consequences of the indiscriminate strikes on civilians in the Gaza Strip.

She asked Israel for an immediate investigation into the circumstances surrounding the recent attacks and that actions are taken to hold accountable those found responsible. The UN agency for Palestine refugees has also raised concerns about the schooling situation.