Conflict in Gaza: Polio Campaign Continues Amid Escalating Violence

Israeli forces killed at least 35 Palestinians in Gaza on Tuesday, with skirmishes against Hamas militants ongoing. Despite the violence, medics conducted polio vaccinations for children. Diplomatic efforts for a ceasefire have faltered. The United Nations continues its vaccination campaign amid the turmoil, reaching 25% of children under 10.

Israeli forces killed at least 35 Palestinians across Gaza on Tuesday as clashes with Hamas-led militants escalated, Palestinian officials reported. However, brief pauses in fighting allowed medics to continue polio vaccinations for children for a third consecutive day. Among the fatalities were women and civilians near hospitals in Gaza City and Rafah.

Later, an Israeli airstrike killed nine Palestinians in a house near Omar Al-Mokhtar Street in Gaza City, while another strike aimed at a Hamas command center occurred near a college in Sheikh Radwan. The Israeli military confirmed the strikes targeted Hamas militants operating from the locations.

Despite the ongoing violence, the World Health Organization (WHO) stated that over a quarter of children under 10 had been vaccinated against polio. The vaccination campaign, initiated after discovering a polio case last month, continues amid eight-hour daily pauses in fighting in specified areas.

(With inputs from agencies.)