Israel and Hamas have provisionally consented to a sequence of short ceasefires in various regions of Gaza, enabling the safe distribution of the polio vaccine, as reported by the World Health Organization (WHO).
The truces are set to commence on Sunday and will unfold in three stages, beginning with central Gaza, followed by the southern area, and concluding in the northern region.
Rik Peeperkorn, WHO’s senior representative for the Palestinian territories, indicated that each ceasefire will span three days, occurring exclusively from 6 AM to 3 PM, with the possibility of extending into a fourth day if necessary.
The United Nations aims to immunize approximately 640,000 children in Gaza following the discovery of traces of the polio virus in the local sewage system two months prior.
As reported by the WHO, a 10-month-old infant was paralyzed due to the type-2 variant of the virus—marking the first documented case in Gaza in 25 years.
To effectively halt the virus’s spread, at least 90% of children under 10 years of age must receive the vaccine. The Israeli government has been cautioned that the virus could potentially reach Israel if not addressed promptly.
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Hamas spokesperson Basem Naim expressed approval of the announcement, stating: “We are prepared to collaborate with international organizations to ensure the success of this initiative, which serves and safeguards over 650,000 Palestinian children within the Gaza Strip.”
The US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, reportedly urged Israel to facilitate the distribution of the vaccine during his recent visit.
Benjamin Netanyahu’s office has neither confirmed nor denied the possibility of a broader ceasefire but mentioned it is exploring methods for the vaccine’s rollout. In contrast, Hamas has issued statements indicating its readiness to support a humanitarian truce.
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From earlier in August: US urges Hamas to agree ceasefire deal
This development occurs as low-level negotiations continue in Qatar aimed at achieving an expansive ceasefire and the release of hostages. Some mediators believe that these short pauses, if successful, might foster trust for a more comprehensive agreement.
UN officials have communicated to Sky News that administering the vaccine amidst bombardments is nearly impossible, and even with temporary halts in designated areas, it will still pose a substantial challenge to vaccinate all necessary children.
