UN agency warns of ‘disastrous’ consequences in event of military operation during polio vaccination campaign in Gaza

By Mohammed Al-Ragawi

ISTANBUL (AA) - The UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) issued a stark warning on Friday about the potential impact of a military operation in Gaza during the upcoming polio vaccination campaign.

In a statement on X, UNRWA said: “We cannot vaccinate children who are fleeing for their lives,” and warned that “any military operations during the upcoming polio vaccination campaign in Gaza will affect the ability of the UN and its partners to vaccinate children.”

The organization stressed that the “repercussions will be ‘disastrous’ not only for children in Gaza but also for the broader region, which has already suffered greatly during this conflict.”

“We urgently need a cease-fire to ensure these vaccinations can be administered. Hostages need to return to their families, and everyone needs a respite,” the statement added.

Earlier on Friday, the Palestinian Health Ministry announced that a polio vaccination campaign for children under ten will begin in Gaza on Sunday.

Israeli Channel 12 reported that a senior World Health Organization (WHO) official said Tel Aviv had agreed to a temporary halt in military operations in certain areas to facilitate the vaccination.

However, there was no immediate comment from Israel regarding the proposed temporary cease-fire.

Israel has continued its extensive military operations in Gaza following an attack by the Palestinian group Hamas on October 7, despite a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate cease-fire.

The ongoing conflict has resulted in over 40,600 Palestinian deaths, mostly women and children, and more than 93,800 injuries, according to local health authorities.

A blockade of Gaza has led to severe shortages of food, clean water, and medicine, leaving much of the region in dire conditions.

Israel faces accusations of genocide at the International Court of Justice, which has ordered a halt to military operations in the southern city of Rafah, where over one million Palestinians had sought refuge before the area was invaded on May 6.

*Writing by Ikram Kouachi