Israel Intensifies Gaza Strikes, Halts Polio Vaccination Campaign

Israel launched one of the largest waves of strikes in Gaza in recent weeks, with residents reporting attacks from tanks, planes, and naval vessels on civilian infrastructure and aid recovery operations. The intensified offensive and strict blockade, in place since early March, have led to the suspension of a UN-backed polio vaccination campaign meant for over 600,000 children, raising fears of the disease's return and catastrophic health consequences for Gaza’s youth. Health officials warn the enclave’s healthcare system is near total collapse, with children facing severe risks due to malnutrition, lack of clean water, and halted immunization efforts. Since the resumption of military operations on March 18, over 1,600 Palestinians have been killed and hundreds of thousands displaced, with most of Gaza’s 2.3 million people now living in makeshift shelters. Diplomatically, a Hamas delegation is in Cairo to discuss a proposed multi-year truce in exchange for the release of hostages, though Israel has not formally responded and continues to demand Hamas’s disarmament, which the group rejects. Aid organizations warn that the ongoing blockade has pushed Gaza to the brink of mass starvation and disease as all U.N.-run bakeries have closed and supply lines remain cut.