What it is about

The U.N. World Health Organization (WHO) announced limited pauses in Gaza’s ongoing conflict to facilitate polio vaccinations for hundreds of thousands of children after the first confirmed polio case in 25 years emerged in the Palestinian territory.

Why it matters

This initiative aims to vaccinate 640,000 children under the age of 10 across Gaza, addressing a critical public health issue amid the conflict. These humanitarian pauses are essential to prevent a broader polio outbreak in the region.

The details

Declared as “humanitarian pauses,” the vaccinations will be conducted over nine days, each pause lasting three days in different parts of Gaza starting on Sunday in central Gaza. Subsequent pauses will occur in the southern and then northern Gaza. The campaign has been coordinated with Israeli authorities, says Rik Peeperkorn, the WHO representative in the Palestinian territories.

What they’re saying

“It isn’t the ideal way forward, but it’s a workable solution,” Peeperkorn commented, emphasizing the importance of the vaccinations. “It will happen and should happen because we have an agreement,” he added.

Context

Despite these humanitarian pauses, this is not a cease-fire, which separate expatriate mediators including the U.S., Egypt, and Qatar have long sought. An Israeli official indicated an expected tactical pause to facilitate vaccinations but clarified that only specific lull areas for vaccination efforts have been confirmed so far.

Ongoing efforts

The Israeli military has previously allowed limited pauses for international humanitarian objectives. Additionally, internal calls in Israel stress the importance of providing polio vaccines to hostages. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, represented by Professor Hagai Levin, underscores the need for vaccinations, including for two children abducted in October.

This story was first published on ynetnews.com.