Israeli airstrike hits near Gaza hospital in the middle of vaccination campaign

On Thursday, families in Gaza prepared for the second phase of an urgent polio vaccination campaign; however, a deadly aerial attack occurred near a hospital in an area where a previous round of inoculations had just finished. The impact of the Israeli airstrike cast a shadow over the vaccination program, which commenced on Sunday and was designed around a collaboration between Israel and Hamas for temporary pauses in hostilities.

Vaccination Program's Initial Success

Health officials had lauded the vaccination program as an unexpected success in its early stages. The World Health Organization reported that the first phase, conducted in the central Gaza Strip, concluded on Wednesday, while the second phase, located in southern Gaza, commenced on Thursday. However, the positive outcome of the vaccination program was overshadowed by the tragic and fatal airstrike that took place just before the start of the second phase.

The airstrike, which killed four individuals and injured several others, including women and children, underscored the limited nature of the agreed-upon pauses in hostilities. Witnesses reported that the strike struck the courtyard of Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in the central Gaza city of Deir al-Balah, where vulnerable displaced civilians had sought shelter. Graphic images captured by the Reuters news agency revealed flattened tents and makeshift shelters, along with personal belongings strewn across the ground outside the hospital, one of Gaza’s largest medical facilities.

The Human Impact of Violence

The humanitarian toll of this violence highlights the precarious situation faced by the civilian population in Gaza, many of whom endure the persistent threat of conflict while trying to access essential medical services. The vulnerability of these communities is further exacerbated by the ongoing challenges posed by the global COVID-19 pandemic, which has strained healthcare resources and made the implementation of vaccination campaigns all the more critical.

In this context, the polio vaccination campaign represents a vital opportunity to safeguard the health and well-being of children and families in Gaza. The international community's commitment to supporting such initiatives is essential in order to mitigate the impact of conflict and instability on the most vulnerable populations.