UN Calls for Cease-Fire in Gaza Amid Polio Outbreak Concerns

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has urged for a weeklong cease-fire in Gaza to facilitate vaccination efforts against polio, following the confirmation of the first case in the region in years. Guterres emphasized the urgency of a coordinated response to prevent the disease from spreading, warning that ongoing conflict hampers vaccination campaigns. He highlighted the risk of polio spreading to neighboring countries if not contained swiftly. Polio, a highly infectious disease primarily affecting young children, can lead to severe health complications, including paralysis and death. The virus was detected in Gaza's wastewater as early as July, raising alarms about the health of the enclave's population, which is predominantly composed of children. With approximately 340,000 children under the age of five in Gaza, the need for immediate vaccination is critical. The Global Polio Eradication Initiative noted that vaccination rates had been high prior to the onset of conflict over ten months ago. The resurgence of polio in Gaza, which had been free of the disease for 25 years, is attributed to the destruction of essential infrastructure and worsening health conditions, including malnutrition. In response to the outbreak, the Israeli military announced plans to vaccinate its soldiers in Gaza. Additionally, the World Health Organization and UNICEF have joined calls for a pause in hostilities to enable vaccination efforts, with the Israeli agency COGAT indicating collaboration with these organizations for the campaign.