Israel and Hamas have agreed to periodic ceasefires in the Gaza Strip to allow the immunization of approximately 640,000 children against polio, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
These temporary pauses in fighting, critical for carrying out the vaccination campaign, will take place over three consecutive days across different regions of the Gaza Strip.
The first ceasefire is scheduled to occur in the central region, with a cessation of hostilities from 6:00 am to 3:00 pm. Following this, similar pauses will be implemented in the southern and northern regions, maintaining the same time frame each day.
The WHO emphasized that these brief windows of peace are essential to ensure the safe delivery of polio vaccines to children in need, particularly amid the ongoing conflict and deteriorating health conditions in the region.
Robert Wood, the United States Deputy Representative to the United Nations, stressed the gravity of the situation, describing the polio threat as severe.
“The critical need to create conditions for the vaccination campaign in Gaza cannot be overstated,” he said, commending the United Nations’ leadership in orchestrating the agreement and calling on the international community to support this life-saving initiative.
The ceasefires represent a rare moment of cooperation between Israel and Hamas in the context of the ongoing conflict. Both parties have faced increasing pressure from global health organizations and international diplomats to facilitate the vaccination campaign.
The densely populated Gaza Strip has seen a sharp rise in health risks, exacerbated by war, shortages of medical supplies, and strained healthcare infrastructure.
Polio, a highly contagious viral disease, poses an especially dire threat to children, leading to potential paralysis and even death if left unaddressed.
However, challenges to maintaining these ceasefires persist. In a separate incident, Robert Wood disclosed that an internal communication error within the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) resulted in the accidental shooting of a World Food Program (WFP) vehicle.
The incident, which involved a clearly marked and authorized WFP vehicle, did not result in any injuries, but it has raised concerns about the safety of humanitarian workers operating in the area.
Wood called on Israel to acknowledge this mistake and take immediate corrective actions. “It is crucial that incidents like this do not occur again. Humanitarian workers must be able to operate without fear of being caught in the crossfire,” he stated.
The World Food Program had previously announced a temporary suspension of its staff movements into Gaza following the incident.
This suspension underscores the fragility of the situation and the potential dangers faced by humanitarian organizations striving to provide aid in conflict zones.
As the ceasefires approach, the international community remains cautiously optimistic that the vaccination campaign can proceed without major disruptions.
The immunization of Gaza’s children against polio represents a significant effort to address a growing public health emergency in the midst of ongoing hostilities.
Nevertheless, the successful implementation of these ceasefires will require continued cooperation and commitment from both sides, as well as ongoing support from global health organizations and international actors.