UNICEF spokesperson Kazem Abu Khalaf confirmed on Wednesday that more than 105,000 children in Gaza City and North Gaza have been deprived of the second round of polio vaccinations, essential to prevent the spread of the virus. The vaccination campaign was initially paused due to intensified Israeli operations that began in early October 2024.

“While suspending the campaign is a serious decision, the conditions on the ground left us no other choice,” said Abu Khalaf. The delay, he added, could weaken the intended protection as the time gap between the first and second doses widens. “This postponement is not only disrupting our program but may diminish the expected benefits of two-round immunization.”

The broader health crisis is further exacerbated by deteriorating medical infrastructure in Gaza and a rise in disease outbreaks. UNICEF, which works in coordination with other health agencies in the area, is now racing against time to contain potential virus spread.

Adding to the difficulty of responding to these needs, Israeli operations have also disrupted the work of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), a critical service provider for Gaza’s population. “More than a million residents depend on UNRWA’s assistance, and the attacks on its facilities have added substantial obstacles to humanitarian efforts,” Abu Khalaf noted.

With escalating needs in northern Gaza, UNICEF and its partners are appealing for safe humanitarian access to complete the polio vaccination rounds and resume broader health interventions for Gaza’s children. (ILKHA)