Israeli strikes in Gaza kill 61 in 48 hours as UN pursues vaccinations
In the latest escalation of the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Israeli military strikes in Gaza have claimed the lives of at least 61 people in a span of 48 hours. This surge in violence comes nearly a year after hostilities intensified, following a deadly attack by Hamas on Israeli civilians in October 2023. Alongside the relentless bombardments, efforts are being made to continue a United Nations-led vaccination campaign in Gaza to combat the resurgence of polio in the region.
The Strikes and Their Toll
According to local health officials, Israeli strikes targeted multiple locations within Gaza, including civilian infrastructure such as schools and residential buildings that have been repurposed as shelters for displaced people. At least 12 people were killed in airstrikes on two former schools in Gaza City and Jubail, which were being used as shelters. The Israeli military justified the strikes by claiming that Hamas militants were operating from within these civilian spaces, a charge that Hamas denies.
In addition to the deaths caused by the bombings, numerous individuals have been injured, adding to the overwhelming burden on Gaza’s medical infrastructure. The health system in Gaza is already on the brink of collapse due to shortages of medicine, supplies, and personnel. Airstrikes on a house in Gaza City killed five more people, with the total number of fatalities from Saturday’s strikes reaching 28.
This latest bout of violence is part of an ongoing conflict that has claimed tens of thousands of lives. Since October 2023, over 40,900 Palestinians have died, according to Gaza’s health ministry. Israel, which has lost 340 soldiers in the fighting, maintains that a significant portion of the Palestinian casualties are militants, though civilian casualties continue to rise.
Diplomatic Deadlock
Despite multiple rounds of international diplomacy, including efforts by the United States, Egypt, and Qatar, a ceasefire remains elusive. The primary sticking point in negotiations has been the release of hostages held by Hamas and the release of Palestinian prisoners in Israel. Both sides accuse the other of imposing unreasonable conditions. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has accused Hamas of introducing unacceptable demands, while Hamas officials insist they remain committed to earlier proposals.
The situation has led to mounting frustration in Israel, where tens of thousands of citizens have taken to the streets in protest. These protests have been fuelled by the killing of six Israeli hostages by Hamas last week, which sparked public outrage and calls for the government to prioritize the safe return of the remaining 101 hostages still held in Gaza(
CIA Director William Burns, speaking at an event in London, mentioned that a more detailed U.S. proposal for a ceasefire would be presented in the coming days. However, the prospects for a breakthrough seem slim as the gap between Israeli and Palestinian positions remains wide.
UN-Led Vaccination Campaign Amidst the Conflict
Amid the violence, the United Nations has embarked on a critical mission to vaccinate 640,000 children in Gaza against polio. This initiative comes after Gaza reported its first case of polio in 25 years, raising alarm about the public health situation in the besieged territory. Polio, a highly infectious viral disease that primarily affects children, can lead to paralysis or even death if not addressed promptly.
Limited pauses in the fighting have enabled health workers to administer the first round of vaccines in southern and central Gaza, reaching more than half of the target population. The vaccination campaign is now expanding to northern Gaza, despite the challenging circumstances. A second round of vaccinations is scheduled to take place four weeks after the first, ensuring that the children receive full protection against the disease.