Israeli Withdrawal Leaves Jenin in Ruins but Polio Vaccinations Resume in Gaza

Israeli forces have withdrawn from refugee camps in the occupied West Bank after a prolonged military operation targeting militants, which left dozens dead. In the quiet aftermath, Jenin residents began assessing the damage. Meanwhile, health workers in Gaza resumed polio vaccinations amid a tense ceasefire agreement brokered by the WHO and UNICEF.

In the early hours of Friday, Israeli forces pulled out from Jenin, Tulkarem, and Al-Faraa refugee camps in the occupied West Bank after a week-long military operation aimed at combating militants. The operation, described by the United Nations as employing 'lethal war-like tactics,' left a devastating trail of destruction and over 39 Palestinians dead, mostly militants according to Israeli military sources.

As dawn broke over Jenin, residents emerged to inspect the damage. Buildings lay in ruins, with twisted rebar jutting from the concrete and walls riddled with bullet holes. Water and electrical services were down, and families had been confined to their homes during the siege, further complicating an already dire humanitarian situation.

In a parallel development, polio vaccinations resumed in southern Gaza. Health workers, in coordination with UNICEF and the WHO, continued a large-scale immunisation campaign targeting 640,000 children. The effort comes after the first reported polio case in 25 years left a young child paralyzed. The vaccinations were able to proceed following limited pauses in the fighting, agreed upon to avert a health crisis.

(With inputs from agencies.)