Devendra Kumar
United Nations officials have recently praised brief pauses in the conflict between Israel and Hamas, which allowed for critical polio vaccinations for children in Gaza. These pauses are seen as rare opportunities for humanitarian efforts amidst the nearly year-long war.
The U.N. World Health Organization has reported that 187,000 children in Gaza have received polio vaccinations, with an ambitious goal of reaching 640,000. The campaign was launched in response to Gaza’s first reported polio case in 25 years, involving a 10-month-old boy who had been left paralyzed.
The child’s mother, Neveen Abu El Jidyan, recounted her struggles in an interview, explaining that her son Abdul Rahman missed his vaccination due to the displacement caused by the war. El Jidyan, living in a tent and lacking medical resources, has been unable to provide proper care for her son since he contracted polio. The situation highlights the severe impact of the conflict on basic healthcare and vaccination efforts in the region.
Israel has pledged to continue the vaccination program through Monday, with eight-hour daily pauses in the fighting to facilitate this. This commitment was discussed during a U.N. meeting, which was convened at Israel’s request and supported by its allies, including France, Great Britain, and the United States. The focus of the discussions also included the recent killing of six hostages taken during the Hamas attacks on October 7, which sparked the ongoing war.
Top U.N. officials, including Rosemary DiCarlo and Edem Wosornu, have emphasized the significance of these temporary cessations in violence as hopeful signs that humanitarian goals can lead to positive outcomes.
Representatives from France, Britain, and the U.S. echoed this sentiment, with the French Ambassador calling for such humanitarian pauses to become a standard practice. The situation in Gaza remains dire, with rampant disease and deteriorating living conditions exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.
The U.N. Security Council is growing increasingly anxious about the lack of progress toward a cease-fire and the release of hostages. In June, the Council endorsed a resolution for a cease-fire plan, but the situation remains unresolved.
With over 40,000 Palestinians reported dead and significant civilian casualties on both sides, the need for a resolution is urgent. The Security Council is under pressure to act decisively to address the ongoing violence and humanitarian disaster.
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