US and international health officials confirmed Thursday that Israel has consented to a temporary humanitarian pause in the Gaza Strip to administer polio vaccinations to children.
The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office clarified that this pause is separate from the ongoing ceasefire discussions in Doha. Supported by the Israeli War Cabinet, the pause will commence on September 1, during which the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) will halt offensive operations from 6:00 AM to 3:00 PM in designated central Gaza areas to facilitate a large-scale vaccination campaign.
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The Gaza Health Ministry reported on August 16 that several Palestinian children exhibited symptoms consistent with polio, with laboratory tests confirming the disease in one child.
The World Health Organization (WHO) representative in Gaza emphasized the critical need for vaccinations to prevent a potential outbreak.
In addition to the central Gaza pause, Israel plans three-day operation suspensions in designated southern and northern Gaza areas on later, unspecified dates. Egyptian officials informed Arab media that the pause excludes regions where Israeli forces remain active.
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While Hamas initially welcomed the temporary pause, it later criticized the proposal for not encompassing the entire Gaza Strip. Nevertheless, a Hamas political bureau official confirmed that Hamas would cooperate with international organizations to ensure the campaign’s success.
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) announced that over 3,000 personnel will be involved in delivering polio vaccines to shelters, clinics, and schools, highlighting the necessity of the humanitarian pause for safe interactions between aid workers and local communities.
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