European Union Urges Humanitarian Pause For Polio Vaccination In Gaza
JAKARTA - EU Head of Foreign Policy (EU) Josep Borrell urged a three-day humanitarian break in the Gaza Strip for polio vaccination by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) to reach Palestinian children.
"The rapid spread of polio threatens all children in Gaza, who are exhausted by evacuation, confiscation and malnutrition. I urge a humanitarian ceasefire for three days immediately to allow vaccination by WHO & UNICEF which does not depend on broader negotiations," Borrell said on social media X reported by ANTARA, Tuesday, August 27.
In July, Gaza's Ministry of Health designated the enclave as a polio epidemic area, making fighting for months as the main reason for the spread of the disease.
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The WHO and UNICEF also called for a humanitarian break in the enclave in late August and early September to allow a vaccination campaign.
The Palestinian resistance group, Hamas, said it supports the humanitarian break.
Meanwhile, Israel's defense department Sunday said the polio vaccine had been distributed to the Gaza Strip.
Israel launched a military operation in the Gaza Strip in response to the Hamas attack on them on October 7, 2023.