UN Announces Temporary Ceasefire in Gaza for Polio Vaccination Drive

United Nations - The World Health Organization (WHO) declared on Thursday that a three-day ceasefire will be implemented in Gaza to facilitate a polio vaccination campaign for children. This decision comes in response to the first confirmed case of polio in a child in the Palestinian territories in 25 years.

**Efforts to Vaccinate Amid Conflict**
Rick Peppercorn, WHO's representative in the Palestinian territories, stated that the vaccination campaign will begin on Sunday in central Gaza, with subsequent three-day pauses in southern and northern Gaza. "Given the complexities of operating in a conflict zone, additional days may be necessary to complete the vaccination coverage," Peppercorn explained. The target is to vaccinate 640,000 children under the age of ten.

This unprecedented measure reflects the urgency of addressing the polio outbreak while navigating the challenges posed by the ongoing conflict in the region.