The UN agency for Palestinian refugees has indicated that it is nearing a potential breaking point for its operations in the Gaza Strip due to increasingly challenging circumstances.
“I will not conceal the fact that we may reach a stage where we can no longer operate,” UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini informed journalists during a press conference in Berlin.
“We are very close to a potential breaking point. When will it be? I’m not sure. But we are very close,” he added.
This announcement coincides with the revelation that over 150,000 children in Gaza received the essential second dose of the oral polio vaccine within the first two days of the second round of the vaccination campaign, as stated by the WHO director-general.
“The total number of children who have received a second polio vaccine dose in central Gaza after two days of vaccination is 156,943,” noted Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on X.
The UN World Food Programme is distributing meals to displaced Palestinians in the city of Deir al-Balah in Gaza.
“Vaccinations are ongoing today. Simultaneously, 128,121 children have received vitamin A supplements.
“We urge that the humanitarian pauses continue to be upheld. We advocate for a ceasefire and peace,” he remarked.
Similar to the initial round of vaccinations last month, the second round will be conducted in three phases, aided by localized “humanitarian pauses” in the conflict: first in central Gaza, followed by the south, and finally in the most challenging northern areas of the territory.
Each phase is expected to last three days for the campaign, with an additional catch-up day for monitoring and vaccinating any children who were missed.
The vaccination drive commenced following the confirmation of the first polio case in the Gaza Strip in 25 years.
The disease has resurfaced in besieged Gaza, where the ongoing war has left most medical facilities and the sewage system in disrepair.
Primarily spread through sewage and contaminated water, the poliovirus is highly infectious, capable of causing deformities and paralysis, and is potentially fatal, especially for children under five years old.
WHO spokesman Tarik Jasarevic informed reporters yesterday that nearly 93,000 doses were administered in central Gaza on the first day, which he described as having passed “without major issues”.
The estimated target for the central region is over 179,000 children under the age of 10.
“We hope that parents will continue to bring their children,” Mr. Jasarevic expressed.
In the meantime, the UK and France have called for an urgent meeting at the United Nations Security Council to address the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer indicated that his country is contemplating sanctions against two Israeli ministers, finance minister Bezalel Smotrich and national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, due to remarks they made regarding the conflict.
Earlier this month, Reuters reported a sharp decline in food supplies to Gaza following the introduction of a new customs rule by Israeli authorities. The US has stated that the humanitarian situation must improve, or Israel could face potential restrictions on US military aid.
“We are continuously making representations on this matter with our partners,” Mr. Starmer conveyed to parliament.
“There is an urgent need, which has existed for quite some time, for increased aid to flow into Gaza.”
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British Foreign Secretary David Lammy asserted in a statement that Israel must ensure civilian protection and open routes for life-saving aid, emphasizing that the United Nations meeting would tackle these concerns.
He mentioned that Algeria had also endorsed the call for the urgent meeting.
Israel initiated a military campaign in Gaza following the October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas, which resulted in the deaths of 1,206 individuals in Israel, primarily civilians, according to an AFP tally of official Israeli figures, including hostages killed in captivity.
According to figures from the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory, which the UN deems reliable, the Israeli campaign has resulted in 42,409 fatalities, the majority being civilians.
While some Western nations have been advocating for a ceasefire in Gaza, Mr. Netanyahu and his far-right government have rejected such calls, vowing to eliminate Hamas.
