Israel strikes vaccination centre in Gaza, four children injured

The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that six people, including four children, were injured in an attack targeting a polio vaccination center in northern Gaza.

The incident occurred on the same day WHO resumed the second round of polio vaccinations in the region, having previously paused the campaign due to ongoing Israeli airstrikes.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus noted the health center was located in a designated humanitarian zone where a temporary pause in hostilities was agreed upon to enable vaccinations.

He expressed concern that the attack might discourage parents from bringing their children for the critical second dose.

While the WHO did not specify who was responsible for the attack, Israeli authorities denied allegations from a Gaza-based source that an Israeli drone fired missiles at the center.

According to the Gaza Civil Defense Agency, an Israeli quadcopter launched two missiles that struck the wall of Sheikh Radwan Clinic.

However, the Israeli military countered this claim, stating an initial review indicated no strikes were conducted in the area at that time.

In recent weeks, northern Gaza has faced intensified bombardments by the Israeli military, which it says are aimed at disrupting Hamas activity.

UN officials have described the humanitarian conditions in the region as catastrophic, with severe shortages of essential aid and medical supplies.

The polio vaccination campaign, which started on September 1, successfully reached its first round of immunizations after northern Gaza confirmed its first polio case in 25 years. WHO reports indicate that around 119,000 children in northern Gaza are waiting for their second dose, while 452,000 children have already been vaccinated in other parts of the region.

Poliovirus, typically spread through contaminated water, poses a severe risk of deformity, paralysis, or even death, particularly in young children.