Israeli Airstrike on Humanitarian Convoy and Ceasefire for Polio Vaccination in Gaza

Israeli Strike on Humanitarian Convoy in Gaza

An Israeli missile targeted a convoy transporting essential medical supplies and fuel to an Emirati hospital in the Gaza Strip, resulting in the deaths of several individuals associated with a local transportation company, as reported by the American Near East Refugee Aid (Anera) organization on Friday. Israel contended, without providing evidence, that the missile strike was initiated after gunmen allegedly seized control of the convoy.

The incident occurred on Thursday along the Salah al-Din road in Gaza, specifically striking the first vehicle of the convoy. Sandra Rasheed, Anera’s director for the Palestinian territories, confirmed that several employees from the transportation company were killed while they were facilitating the delivery of supplies to the Emirates Red Crescent Hospital located in Rafah. She noted that the convoy, which was meticulously coordinated by Anera and received prior approval from Israeli authorities, included an Anera employee who fortunately remained unharmed.

The attack took place shortly after a separate vehicle from the UN World Food Programme, also part of a humanitarian convoy, came under sustained Israeli fire while en route to an Israeli military checkpoint in central Gaza. In light of these incidents, Washington has criticized Israel’s actions against humanitarian workers, calling for an immediate cessation of attacks and hostile rhetoric directed at both the UN and humanitarian organizations.

During a recent UN Security Council meeting discussing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, US Deputy Ambassador Robert Wood emphasized the Israeli military’s repeated assaults on clearly marked UN food agency vehicles. He pointed out that the convoy had received multiple clearances from Israeli authorities prior to the attack.

Three-Day Ceasefire for Polio Vaccination Drive

In a significant development, Israel and Hamas have mutually agreed to implement a series of three-day pauses in hostilities to facilitate a polio vaccination campaign across the Gaza Strip. This initiative comes in response to a recent case of paralysis caused by the type 2 poliovirus affecting a baby in Gaza, marking the first such incident in the region in 25 years.

The vaccination drive is set to commence in central Gaza on Sunday, with pauses scheduled daily from 6 am to 3 pm local time (5 am to 2 pm CET). Following the initial round of vaccinations, the campaign will transition to southern Gaza for another three-day pause, before moving to the northern areas of the strip. The affected child, 11-month-old Abdel-Rahman Abu El-Jedian, is currently residing in a makeshift tent camp in Deir al-Balah.

Rik Peeperkorn, a senior official at the World Health Organization (WHO), indicated that these pauses could potentially be extended to a fourth day if deemed necessary. He also mentioned that a follow-up vaccination round will be required four weeks after the initial campaign. During the UN Security Council meeting, WHO Emergencies Director Mike Ryan stressed that achieving at least 90% coverage during each round of the vaccination campaign is critical to halting the outbreak and preventing any international spread of polio.

Related Developments

• EU’s foreign policy chief calls for a three-day ceasefire to curb the spread of polio in Gaza.
• Polio vaccines delivered to Gaza, as aid groups urge for a pause in fighting.

Reports indicate that approximately 1.26 million doses of the polio vaccine have already arrived in Gaza, with an additional 400,000 doses expected to follow shortly. The vaccinations will be administered by UN staff in collaboration with local health workers, while the Israeli military’s humanitarian unit, COGAT, has stated that the vaccination drive will be conducted in coordination with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).

Ongoing Military Operations in the West Bank

Meanwhile, Israel’s extensive military operation in the West Bank has entered its third day. The Israeli military has claimed responsibility for striking a “terrorist cell” in the city of Jenin. Furthermore, Israeli forces reported that during a significant exchange of fire in Tulkarem, a local commander of the Iranian-backed Islamic Jihad movement was also killed, along with four other Palestinian fighters.

Israeli armored vehicles have been seen operating in the West Bank refugee camp of Nur Shams, Tulkarem. The Israeli government asserts that the ongoing raids across northern West Bank—resulting in at least 19 fatalities, primarily among militants since late Tuesday—are necessary to prevent potential attacks on Israeli citizens. However, Palestinians view these actions as an escalation of the ongoing conflict in Gaza, perceiving them as an attempt to extend Israel’s longstanding military dominance over the territory.