UN: 187,000 Children in Gaza Received Polio Vaccine

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) announced that there has been "adequate progress" in providing polio vaccines to children in Gaza, with 187,000 children having received the vaccine. UNRWA also emphasized that "the way to end the humanitarian suffering caused by the 11-month war in the Gaza Strip is a permanent ceasefire." On Wednesday, September 4, UNRWA reported that three days after the start of the polio vaccination campaign for children in central Gaza, approximately 187,000 children had received the vaccine. UNRWA also stated that this campaign would move to other Palestinian areas for its second phase. The polio vaccination campaign in Gaza began following the discovery of a polio case last month, the first in the Gaza Strip in 25 years. Israel and Hamas militants agreed to halt hostilities for eight hours daily in predetermined areas to allow the vaccination program to take place. No violations of this agreement have been reported. The United States is making efforts to ease tensions between Israel and Hamas and Hezbollah and to find a way to establish a ceasefire. Israeli attacks on Hamas positions have resulted in the death of a senior commander of the group who participated in the October 7 attack. The U.S. Department of Justice has accused Yahya Sinwar and other Hamas leaders of terrorism. The U.S. has strongly urged both Israel and Hamas to cease hostilities.