Israel and Hamas Agree to Temporary Ceasefires for Polio Vaccination in Gaza

In a significant development, Israel and Hamas have agreed to three separate, zoned ceasefires in Gaza to facilitate a crucial polio vaccination campaign for 640,000 children. The World Health Organization (WHO) announced the agreement on Thursday, with vaccinations set to begin on Sunday.

According to Rik Peeperkorn, WHO’s senior official for the Palestinian territories, the ceasefires will occur from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. local time (0300-1200 GMT). The campaign will start in central Gaza with a three-day pause, then proceed to southern Gaza for another three-day break, and finally move to northern Gaza. There is also a possibility of extending the pause by an additional day in each zone if necessary.

The urgent vaccination drive follows the WHO’s recent report of a polio case in Gaza—a first in 25 years. The UN Security Council is scheduled to meet later today to discuss the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Hamas official Basem Naim stated, “We are ready to work with international organizations to ensure this campaign reaches and protects over 650,000 Palestinian children.”

Israel’s humanitarian unit, COGAT, confirmed that the vaccination campaign will be coordinated with the Israeli military to facilitate access to medical centers during the ceasefires. The latest escalation in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict began on October 7, when Hamas launched an attack on Israel, leading to substantial casualties and a severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

The conflict has resulted in over 40,000 Palestinian deaths and displaced nearly the entire population of Gaza, which has also faced severe food shortages. The situation has led to allegations of genocide, which Israel denies.