UN and Israel Agree on Humanitarian Pauses for Polio Vaccinations in Gaza

The UN World Health Organisation and Israel have agreed on three-day 'humanitarian pauses' in fighting in Gaza to allow polio vaccinations for hundreds of thousands of children. This comes after a baby contracted the first confirmed polio case in 25 years. The campaign aims to vaccinate 640,000 children under 10.

The UN World Health Organisation announced Thursday an agreement with Israel for limited pauses in fighting in Gaza to facilitate polio vaccinations for hundreds of thousands of children. This decision follows the first confirmed polio case in the Palestinian territory in 25 years.

Rik Peeperkorn, WHO's representative in the Palestinian territories, described these pauses as "humanitarian pauses" lasting three days in different regions of Gaza. The campaign starts Sunday in central Gaza, followed by subsequent pauses in southern and northern Gaza. Each pause will last eight to nine hours daily, and over 2,000 health workers will participate.

The objective is to vaccinate 640,000 children under 10, coordinated with Israeli authorities. Peeperkorn emphasized the necessity of these pauses and expected all parties to adhere to the agreement. However, these pauses are not a ceasefire amid ongoing mediation talks.

(With inputs from agencies.)