ISRAEL has blocked the distribution of crucial polio vaccines in the Gaza Strip, stopping vehicles carrying medication from entering the war-torn encla‑ve.
The vaccination campaign, launched by the Gaza Health Ministry two weeks ago, targeting children under 10 years of age is yet to reach the city.
The drive, which is being conducted in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), kicked off at Nasser Hospital following a joint press conference by the organisations.
It began on September 5 in Khan Younis, which is in the southern part of Gaza and was supposed to end in Gaza City before it was blocked by the Israeli apartheid occupiers who stopped all the vehicles carrying the polio vaccines, food, and general medical supplies from entering the Gaza Strip.
Palestine Ambassador to Zimbabwe His Excellency Tamer Almassri said a blockade has led to critical shortages of food, clean water and medical supplies.
“The deteriorating conditions have heightened concerns about potential outbreaks of diseases, including polio,” said Ambassador Almassri.
“The urgency of the campaign was underscored by the confirmation of Gaza’s first polio case in a 10-month-old child last month.”
On August 16, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for a seven-day humanitarian ceasefire to allow the vaccination of 640 000 children, a request that was supported by the UNRWA.)
The polio vaccination campaign is taking place against the backdrop of Israel’s continued military attacks in Gaza, which have resulted in over 40 600 Palestinian deaths and more than 93 800 injuries since October 7.
“It is sad and disheartening that Israel is refusing to coordinate the entry of medical teams for polio vaccination east of Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip,” Ambassador Almassri said.
“This area contains a large percentage of the target group of children.”
Ambassador Almassri has since appealed to the world for an urgent intervention to guarantee the success of the vaccination campaign.
The second phase of a polio vaccination campaign for Palestinian children in southern Gaza was supposed to commence on Thursday last week but was disrupted by Israel’s attack on hospitals.
“The campaign targets children under the age of 10, and there is significant interest from parents in vaccinating their children against this serious disease,” he said.
Ambassador Almassri noted that medical teams are working to the best of their capabilities to vaccinate as many children as possible in the strip.
Israel has continued its brutal offensive on the Gaza Strip since October 7 last year despite a UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire.
According to local health authorities, more than 40 800 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have since been killed and nearly 94 300 others injured.
An ongoing blockade of the enclave has led to severe shortages of food, clean water and medicine, leaving much of the region in ruins.
Israel faces accusations of genocide for its actions in Gaza at the International Court of Justice.
Ambassador Almassri expressed his gratitude to His Excellency President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa and the ruling ZANU-PF Government for their unwavering support for the people of Gaza.
“Let me take this opportunity to thank the President of Zimbabwe, His Excellency Dambudzo Mnangagwa, his ruling Party ZANU-PF, and the people of Zimbabwe for standing in solidarity with the people of Palestine,” he said.
“We the people of Palestine are also against the illegal sanctions imposed by the West on the Government of Zimbabwe.
“We call for the immediate removal of the sanctions on Zimbabwe as these sanctions have brought suffering to Zimbabweans.”
