Israeli Drone Attack During Polio Vaccination in Gaza
On Saturday, an Israeli drone attack injured three Palestinian children at a medical clinic in Gaza City amid a crucial polio vaccination campaign. The attack occurred at the Sheikh Radwan Clinic during the second round of vaccinations, which had just begun. Eyewitnesses reported that a Quadcopter drone targeted the clinic, raising concerns about the safety of children receiving vaccinations in conflict zones.
Ongoing Health Crisis Amid Conflict
The vaccination campaign is part of an emergency response to a polio outbreak in Gaza, which is currently under siege. Despite the risks posed by ongoing Israeli military operations, hundreds of children participated in the vaccination efforts across various centers in Gaza City. The campaign aims to protect children from polio, with previous rounds having successfully vaccinated over 560,000 children since its initiation in September. However, the situation remains dire, particularly in the northern Gaza Strip, where military actions have delayed the vaccination efforts.
International Response and Humanitarian Concerns
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has expressed alarm over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, particularly the impact on children. He described the living conditions in northern Gaza as
unbearable,
and called for an immediate ceasefire to allow for humanitarian aid and vaccination efforts to proceed without the threat of violence. The international community is increasingly concerned about the implications of the conflict on public health, especially as the polio vaccination campaign continues to face interruptions due to ongoing military actions.
