Israeli Military Denies Attacking Polio Vaccination Clinic In Northern Gaza

Polio Vaccination In Deir Al-Balah, Gaza/UnRWA/Ashraf Amra

JAKARTA - The Israeli military has denied attacking a clinic in the northern Gaza Strip where health workers vaccinated polio.

Gaza's Ministry of Health previously said Israeli fire hit Sheikh Radwan's clinic when parents brought their children to be vaccinated. It was reported that four children were injured in the explosion, which occurred during an agreed humanitarian break for vaccination to resume.

The Israeli military said it was aware of the report but said preliminary reviews showed its troops had not carried out any attacks when the incident occurred.

"Contrary to these claims, an initial review stated the IDF did not carry out an attack on the region at a specified time," he said.

Meanwhile, the head of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said the incident occurred right after the WHO team was in the clinic and it endangered an important health protection campaign.

"This important body related to humanity must be truly respected. Ceasefire!" he said in a statement on social media platform X on Saturday.

The Israeli military accused Palestinian militant group Hamas of deliberately operating outside civilian territory to use people as human shields, a charge Hamas denies.

With the cut off of access to the area and uneven communication, external verification of statements from both parties becomes increasingly difficult.