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Israel Halts Polio Vaccination Campaign in Gaza Due to Intense Bombardment

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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.

    1. It is crucial therefore that the vaccination campaign in northern Gaza is facilitated through the implementation of the humanitarian pauses.
    2. The current conditions, including ongoing attacks on civilian infrastructure, continue to jeopardise people's safety and movement in northern Gaza, making it impossible for families to safely bring their children for vaccination.
    3. It is imperative to stop the polio outbreak as soon as possible, before more children are paralysed and poliovirus spreads further.