Gaza: Palestinian children in Gaza are unable to receive critical vaccinations due to continuous Israeli bombardments, mass displacement, and severe restrictions on humanitarian aid, according to the United Nations children's agency, UNICEF.
The situation worsened after the Palestinian Health Ministry announced last week that a polio vaccination campaign had to be suspended. Khalil Deqran, a spokesperson for the ministry, issued an urgent warning on April 22, stating that if polio vaccines did not arrive immediately, the region would face a "real catastrophe."
Deqran emphasized that children and patients should never be used as tools of political blackmail, highlighting the grave humanitarian implications of blocking medical supplies. The disruption of vaccination programs puts thousands of young lives at risk, compounding an already dire health crisis in Gaza, where healthcare facilities have been repeatedly targeted and humanitarian corridors remain heavily restricted. UNICEF's alert draws further international attention to the critical needs of Palestinian children as the conflict drags on.
