Israeli airstrikes on Saturday resulted in at least 48 deaths in the Gaza Strip, according to Palestinian health authorities. The violence has intensified ahead of a planned polio vaccination campaign by the United Nations, which aims to inoculate approximately 640,000 children in the area.
The vaccination campaign relies on eight-hour daily pauses in fighting between Israeli forces and Hamas militants. Yousef Abu Al-Reesh, Gaza’s deputy health minister, emphasized that only a comprehensive ceasefire could ensure the campaign’s success, given the ongoing conflict.
A baby in Gaza was recently diagnosed with type 2 polio, marking the first such case in 25 years. WHO officials state that at least 90% of children need to receive two doses, spaced four weeks apart, for the campaign to be effective.
On Saturday, medics administered vaccines at Nasser Hospital as a prelude to the official campaign. However, the campaign faces significant obstacles in Gaza, which has been heavily damaged by nearly 11 months of conflict.
In Nuseirat, a historic refugee camp in Gaza, separate Israeli strikes killed at least 19 people, including nine from one family. Additional strikes across Gaza resulted in over 30 more deaths.
Residents and militant sources reported clashes between Israeli forces and fighters from Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and other groups in various Gaza locations. The Israeli military stated it continued operations in central and southern Gaza, targeting militants and military infrastructure.
The conflict began on October 7 when Hamas attacked Israel, leading to over 40,600 Palestinian deaths since the onset of the Israeli assault. The Gaza Strip’s population of 2.3 million faces widespread displacement and a severe hunger crisis. Israel denies genocide allegations brought against it at the World Court.
In the occupied West Bank, Israeli forces continued a military operation in Jenin, with drones and helicopters patrolling the area amidst sporadic gunfire.
