The United Nations (UN) has temporarily halted aid deliveries to Gaza due to safety concerns following new evacuation orders issued by the Israeli military, potentially complicating efforts to launch a critical polio vaccination campaign. A senior UN official announced the pause on Monday, highlighting the challenges faced in providing humanitarian aid in the region as the Israeli military continues its operations.
Escalating Evacuations and the Vaccination Campaign
Israel’s military, on Sunday, ordered additional evacuations in parts of Deir Al-Balah, a city in central Gaza, forcing many already displaced Palestinians to flee once more. These new orders come just as the UN prepares to vaccinate over 640,000 children in Gaza amid growing concerns about the spread of polio. The densely populated enclave, which has been under Israeli bombardment since October of last year, now faces another potential public health crisis as polio resurfaces.
Earlier this month, health authorities confirmed the first polio case in Gaza in 25 years, detected in a 10-month-old child who had not been vaccinated. The discovery followed earlier findings from June when sewage samples in Gaza tested positive for the virus. The World Health Organization (WHO) warned at the time that the re-emergence of polio could swiftly infect thousands of children if urgent action was not taken.
The highly contagious virus primarily affects children under five years old and attacks the nervous system. In severe cases, polio can lead to paralysis and even death.
Aid Deliveries Halted
On Monday, COGAT, the Israeli agency responsible for facilitating aid entry into Gaza, announced that over 1.2 million doses of the polio vaccine had arrived through the Kerem Shalom crossing. COGAT stated that the vaccination campaign, led by the WHO and the UN’s children’s agency, UNICEF, would be coordinated with the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). However, according to a senior UN official, no further deliveries will take place under the current safety conditions.
The disruption of aid is expected to complicate the vaccination campaign, which aims to prevent a widespread outbreak of polio. Gaza’s precarious humanitarian situation—marked by shortages of food, medical supplies, and clean water—poses additional hurdles. Up to 90% of Gaza’s 2 million residents are internally displaced, further straining health resources and infrastructure.
Polio’s Return: A Health Crisis in Wartime
The resurgence of polio in Gaza highlights the dire health challenges faced by its population. In most of the developed world, polio has been eliminated, thanks to widespread vaccination campaigns. However, Gaza’s population, cut off from adequate medical care and supplies due to the ongoing conflict, faces new vulnerabilities.
More than 1.9 million doses of polio vaccine are expected to arrive in Gaza this month, as health authorities work to immunize children against the virus. The Palestinian Ministry of Health, along with international health partners, has been making efforts to vaccinate 95% of children under the age of 10. The Ministry reported that an additional 400,000 doses are expected to be delivered to ensure this goal is met.
However, Israeli military operations continue to pose significant risks for healthcare workers on the ground. Staff tasked with administering the vaccines face dangerous conditions, as movement across Gaza becomes increasingly difficult.
The UN’s Commitment to Aid Amid Growing Challenges
Despite the evacuation orders and safety concerns, UN operations in Gaza remain essential. Juliette Touma, the communications director for the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), confirmed that the UN continues to provide humanitarian assistance wherever possible, though it has become one of the most challenging operations globally. “We are not leaving Gaza because the people need us there,” a senior UN official emphasized. However, finding a safe location for operations following the latest evacuations remains a pressing issue.
Previously, the UN had relocated its main operations to Deir al-Balah after Israeli military orders forced them to leave Rafah, a city in southern Gaza. Now, with further evacuations ordered in Deir al-Balah, the UN is once again in search of a safe base from which to continue its vital work. “Where do we move now?” the official questioned, underscoring the uncertainty surrounding the situation.
A Region on the Brink
The situation in Gaza remains critical, with the ongoing military conflict compounding the humanitarian and health crises. As the UN works to secure the necessary vaccines and health resources for its polio campaign, the safety of aid workers and displaced civilians is an ever-present concern. Meanwhile, Israeli military operations and evacuations continue to disrupt efforts, raising questions about how best to provide aid in such a volatile environment.
The polio outbreak serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of prolonged conflict and the vulnerabilities faced by Gaza’s population. Without swift action and support from international health organizations, the disease could spread rapidly, affecting thousands of children. For now, the fate of the vaccination campaign—and the health of Gaza’s youngest residents—hangs in the balance, as the region endures the dual threat of war and disease.
