Israel and Hamas Agree on Ceasefire for Polio Vaccination in Gaza: A Humanitarian Pause for Children’s Health

Berfin Ceren Meray
Onedio Member
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In a rare moment of cooperation, Israel and Hamas have reached an agreement to initiate a humanitarian pause in Gaza for polio vaccinations. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) representative Rik Peeperkorn, the ceasefire will take place in three key regions, allowing a crucial three-day immunization campaign aimed at protecting children from the crippling disease.

In the Gaza Strip, where Israeli attacks continue, a polio vaccination campaign is planned to start on Sunday.

Rik Peeperkorn, the World Health Organization's (WHO) representative for the West Bank and Gaza, announced that Israel and Hamas have agreed on three separate three-day humanitarian pauses to launch a polio vaccination campaign in the Gaza Strip.

Peeperkorn stated that the humanitarian pauses would be implemented for three days in the central, southern, and northern parts of the Gaza Strip as part of the vaccination campaign.

'As agreed, the campaign will begin on September 1 in the center of Gaza and will last for three days, during which a humanitarian pause will take place,' he said. Peeperkorn added that if necessary, the humanitarian pause in each region could be extended by one more day.

The Israeli military’s Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) unit stated that the vaccination campaign would be carried out in coordination with the Israeli military.

WHO confirmed on August 23 that at least one infant had been paralyzed by type 2 poliovirus, marking the first case of polio in the region in 25 years.