According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a recent airstrike on a polio vaccination center in northern Gaza has left six individuals injured, including four young children.
After a necessary pause in vaccinations due to ongoing Israeli airstrikes, the WHO restarted its second round of immunizations in the region just yesterday. The organization had previously halted these life-saving initiatives amidst escalating violence.
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the head of the WHO, remarked, “The healthcare facility was located in an area where a temporary ceasefire was supposed to allow vaccinations to continue uninterrupted.” He did not clarify who was behind the attack, yet the Israeli government refuted claims from a Gaza source, which alleged that an Israeli drone targeted the center.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) issued a statement, asserting, “We are aware of accusations surrounding the injury of Palestinian civilians at the Sheikh Radwan vaccination site in northern Gaza.” They further noted, “Our preliminary examination suggests that the IDF did not conduct any strikes in that area at the time mentioned.”
As a critical health initiative, the WHO has reported that approximately 119,000 children in northern Gaza are still awaiting their second vaccine dose. Dr. Tedros expressed deep alarm, stating, “We have received a shocking report indicating that the Sheikh Radwan health center was hit while families were attempting to bring their children for a vital polio vaccination in an area where a humanitarian respite had previously been settled.”
“Six individuals were reported injured, among whom were four children,” he added solemnly. This assault came amid ongoing Israeli military operations, which have intensified significantly, aimed at dismantling Hamas’s military presence.
Various leaders from United Nations agencies have described the situation in northern Gaza as “apocalyptic,” highlighting that the area is currently deprived of essential humanitarian assistance and life-saving supplies. The vaccination campaign—initiated on September 1—had started strong, marking a successful first round following the unsettling discovery of the first polio case in Gaza in 25 years.
“A WHO team had just departed the location moments before the strike occurred on Saturday,” Dr. Tedros explained. “This military action, taking place during a supposed humanitarian pause, poses a severe risk to the health safety of children and may discourage parents from seeking vaccinations for their little ones.”
The WHO has confirmed that while 452,000 children have received vaccinations in central and southern Gaza, a significant backlog of 119,000 children remains unvaccinated in the north. Poliovirus spreads primarily through contaminated water and sewage, making it exceedingly contagious.
This virus can lead to severe deformities and paralysis, and it can even be life-threatening, particularly for children under five years old. The recent escalation of conflict began with Hamas’s attack on October 7, 2023, which tragically resulted in the deaths of 1,206 individuals, predominantly civilians, as per data compiled by AFP from Israeli official records.
In retaliation, Israel’s ongoing military operations have claimed the lives of over 43,314 people in Gaza, most of whom are reported to be civilians according to reliable data from the Hamas-controlled health ministry, a source the UN has deemed credible.
Edited by: Ali Musa
alimusa@axadletimes.com
Axadle international–Monitoring
