- Gaza polio vaccinations continue after Israel bombs clinic
- Vaccination rollout started back up on Sunday, with 58,000 children vaccinated
- The vaccination campaign is to end on Monday
Gaza polio vaccinations continue after Israel bombs clinic
A polio vaccination campaign in northern Gaza continued on Sunday after being disrupted by an attack on the Sheikh Radwan clinic, which injured six people, including four children.
Over 58,000 children in northern Gaza received a 2nd dose of the polio vaccine on Saturday, according to the UN, as health workers race to vaccinate thousands more before the campaign ends on Monday.
The World Health Organization (WHO) reported the strike but did not specify who was behind it. A Gaza civil defence official claimed an Israeli quadcopter was responsible, while Israel stated it was investigating but did not believe it carried out the attack.
The clinic strike was condemned by UNICEF, which is assisting with the vaccination rollout, calling it an example of “indiscriminate strikes on civilians.” This phase of the campaign resumed on Saturday after being delayed in October due to heavy Israeli bombings, displacement, and limited access to affected areas. The drive is crucial as Gaza reported its first polio case in 25 years in August, leaving a young child paralyzed.
Fifteen UN and humanitarian agencies have described the humanitarian crisis in northern Gaza as “apocalyptic” following a month of Israeli ground operations. A temporary pause in fighting has been agreed upon to allow the three-day vaccination effort to proceed in Gaza City, according to WHO chief Tedros Ghebreyesus. He noted the clinic was struck as parents were arriving with their children during this agreed pause.