Why Israel, Hamas Agreed to Pause Fighting in Gaza

Tel Aviv: Israeli military and the Palestinian militant group Hamas have agreed to three separate, three-day pauses in fighting in the Gaza Strip to facilitate the vaccination of approximately 640,000 children against polio, according to reports, citing senior officials.  

Vaccination Campaign to Begin on Sunday

The vaccination campaign is set to begin on Sunday, with breaks in firing scheduled between 6 AM and 3 PM local time in Gaza, according to Rik Peeperkorn, the World Health Organization’s senior official for the Palestinian territories, in conversation with a global media agency. 

Peeperkorn further stated that the campaign would commence in central Gaza with three consecutive daily breaks in fighting, followed by another three-day pause in southern Gaza, and then a similar break in northern Gaza. He noted that there is a provision to extend the pause in each area by an additional day if necessary.

He also mentioned that a second round of vaccination will be required four weeks after the completion of the first round. 

Extra Days Required for Adequate Coverage 

Mike Ryan, WHO's emergencies director, informed the UN Security Council on Thursday that, based on their experience, an extra day or two is often needed to ensure adequate coverage on the campaign.

“To stop the outbreak and prevent the international spread of polio, at least 90 percent coverage is necessary during each round of the campaign,” Ryan stated.