Conflict in Gaza Escalates Amid Polio Vaccination Efforts

The Israeli military killed at least 27 Palestinians in Gaza, including women and children, amid ongoing vaccination campaigns for polio in the war-torn enclave. Efforts to broker a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas have so far failed, complicating humanitarian relief efforts for the millions affected by the conflict.

The Israeli military killed at least 27 Palestinians across the Gaza Strip on Friday, medics confirmed, amidst a vaccination campaign targeting tens of thousands of children against polio. An Israeli airstrike in Nuseirat, one of Gaza's historic refugee camps, resulted in the death of two women and two children. Further airstrikes in Gaza City led to eight additional casualties.

Israeli forces clashed with Hamas-led militants in the Zeitoun suburb of Gaza City and other areas, including Khan Younis and Rafah. Nearly a year into the conflict, multiple diplomatic efforts have failed to establish a ceasefire or secure the release of hostages held in Gaza and Palestinians jailed in Israel. The U.S. is expected to present a new ceasefire proposal, but significant gaps remain between the two sides.

Despite the ongoing conflict, UNRWA and other health organizations continued their polio vaccination campaign, with temporary pauses in fighting allowing at least 160,000 children to receive their doses. Juliette Touma from UNRWA emphasized that these pauses highlight the need for a ceasefire to ensure consistent humanitarian aid. The campaign aims to vaccinate around 640,000 children under 10 by moving to northern Gaza soon.

(With inputs from agencies.)