Polio Vaccination Campaign Awaits Amid Gaza Conflict

Amid ongoing conflict in Gaza, there's hope for a polio vaccination campaign as the United Nations prepares to vaccinate 640,000 children. Fighting has escalated, causing numerous casualties and complicating efforts to address the health crisis. Families anxiously await a truce to safely vaccinate their children.

Palestinians in Gaza are awaiting a potential pause in fighting to commence a polio vaccination campaign on Sept. 1. The conflict has claimed at least 20 lives amid ongoing violence.

The United Nations aims to vaccinate around 640,000 children after the World Health Organization confirmed a case of type 2 poliovirus, the first in 25 years. UNRWA's communications director, Juliette Touma, expressed hope for a humanitarian truce.

Families are deeply concerned. Nivin Abu Al-Jidyan, mother of an infected child, expressed her fears for her son's future, while Umm Eliane Baker is worried for her daughter amid the conflict. Prime Minister Netanyahu refuted claims of a full truce, suggesting limited ceasefire zones instead.

(With inputs from agencies.)