Polio Vaccination Campaign in Gaza Amid Hostilities

A significant polio vaccination campaign is underway in Gaza, aiming to inoculate 640,000 children amid ongoing conflict. The initiative, supported by the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, and various international bodies, has already vaccinated over 161,000 children in its initial days, surpassing expectations. This effort follows the first polio case in Gaza in 25 years, which has heightened fears due to the region's deteriorated health infrastructure and unsanitary living conditions. The campaign has been met with some skepticism from local families but has seen broad participation, with pauses in fighting allowing for the safe administration of vaccines. The UAE has contributed $5 million to support this urgent health intervention. The broader context includes ongoing hostilities between Israel and Hamas, with recent reports of hostages and casualties further complicating the humanitarian situation.