Israel Halts Polio Vaccination Campaign in Gaza Due to Intense Bombardment

The World Health Organization (WHO) has been forced to postpone the final phase of a child polio vaccination drive in northern Gaza due to "intense bombardment" and "escalating violence". The second round of vaccinations has already been completed in central and southern Gaza, but 119,279 children in northern Gaza were supposed to receive a second dose. However, the campaign was called off due to the recent escalation in violence, including mass displacement orders and a major air and ground assault by Israeli forces in the north of the region. This operation began around three weeks ago and has intensified following the killing of Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar, resulting in at least 37 deaths in northern Gaza.