Israel agrees pauses in Gaza fighting to allow polio vaccination of children | BBC News

Summary

Israel and Hamas have agreed on multiple three-day ceasefires to facilitate polio vaccinations for over 600,000 children in Gaza, following the first polio case in 25 years. The infant, Abdul Rahman, from a displaced family in central Gaza, contracted the disease due to disrupted vaccinations. The temporary halt in fighting aims to vaccinate children in stages, but aid organizations warn that the underlying conditions causing the crisis are worsening, and the three-day windows might not suffice for complete coverage. This pause, amidst ongoing conflict, is seen as a small victory, offering a 'drop of hope' in a dire situation.

Takeaways

• 📌 Israel and Hamas have agreed to multiple three-day pauses in fighting to facilitate the vaccination of over 600,000 children in Gaza against polio.
• 👶 A baby, Abdul Rahman, has contracted polio, marking the first case in the Palestinian territory in 25 years, prompting a response to pause the conflict.
• 🏞️ Abdul Rahman's family, who live in a displacement camp in central Gaza, were affected by the constant moving which disrupted his vaccinations.
• 🚫 The fear of polio has led to other families in the camp preventing their children from playing with Abdul Rahman, highlighting the social impact of the disease.
• 🏥 The temporary ceasefires are intended to allow medics to vaccinate children in stages across Gaza, aiming to control the spread of polio.
• 🆘 Aid organizations express concern that the conditions causing the polio crisis in Gaza are worsening and that solutions are not straightforward due to ongoing insecurity and displacement.
• 🛣️ Damage to road infrastructure and population displacement pose challenges to the vaccination campaign, potentially requiring more than the agreed three-day pauses.
• 🏛️ Israel's prime minister clarified that the pauses are not a ceasefire, indicating that the conflict is ongoing despite the health crisis.
• 🌟 The EU's foreign policy chief described the temporary pauses and vaccination efforts as a 'drop of hope in a sea of despair,' reflecting the broader context of the situation in Gaza.

Q & A

What agreement has been made between Israel and Hamas regarding the fighting?

Israel and Hamas have agreed to several three-day pauses in fighting.

What is the purpose of these pauses in fighting?

The pauses are to allow the vaccination of over 600,000 children in Gaza against polio.

Why is there a sudden need for polio vaccinations in Gaza?

A baby, Abdul Rahman, has contracted polio, marking the first case in the Palestinian territory in 25 years.

What impact has Abdul Rahman's diagnosis had on the situation in Gaza?

Abdul Rahman's diagnosis has raised fresh alarm over conditions in Gaza's camps and has contributed to the decision to pause the fighting for vaccinations.

How has Abdul Rahman's family been affected by the ongoing conflict?

Abdul Rahman's family, who have nine children, live in a camp in central Gaza and have been displaced multiple times from their home in the north.

What was the consequence of Abdul Rahman's disrupted vaccinations?

The constant moving disrupted Abdul Rahman's vaccinations, which led to his polio infection.

What are the fears of other families in the camp regarding Abdul Rahman?

Other families in the camp are afraid and have stopped their children from playing with Abdul Rahman due to the polio virus.

How has polio affected Abdul Rahman's physical abilities?

The polio virus has stopped Abdul Rahman's progress, causing him to stop sitting, walking, crawling, and moving.

What are the challenges faced by aid organizations in implementing the vaccination campaign?

Aid organizations face challenges due to insecurity, damage to road infrastructure, and population displacement, which complicate the vaccination campaign.

What is the stance of Israel's prime minister regarding the pauses in fighting?

Israel's prime minister has been clear that the pauses are not a ceasefire and the war has been resistant to both diplomacy and disease.

How is the international community viewing the situation in Gaza?

The EU's foreign policy chief has described the vaccination efforts as a 'drop of hope in a sea of despair'.