Image credits: Business Standard
The conflict in Gaza has escalated sharply as Israeli forces continue to expand their ground operations in the central and southern regions, focusing on areas like Khan Younis and Deir el-Balah. Medical sources have informed Al Jazeera that 18 Palestinians have been killed in these areas since the morning, deepening the already severe humanitarian crisis.
As the violence persists, the Gaza Health Ministry has emphasized the critical need for a ceasefire, stating that it is essential for the success of the ongoing polio vaccination campaign. The Ministry’s concern follows confirmation from the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) that a 10-month-old baby in Gaza has been paralyzed due to the polio virus—the first such case in over 25 years. The Health Ministry stressed that without a ceasefire, the vaccination campaign would be ineffective due to the lack of clean water, hygiene supplies, and the spread of sewage among displaced persons.
Meanwhile, the international community closely monitors the situation, with US envoy to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, calling for calm in the Middle East. She informed the UN Security Council that a ceasefire and a deal for releasing captives are “now in sight,” reflecting a sense of urgency to end the ongoing conflict.
The toll of the conflict continues to rise, with recent reports indicating that at least 40,265 people have been killed and 93,144 wounded in Gaza. On the Israeli side, the Hamas-led attacks on October 7 resulted in the deaths of an estimated 1,139 people, with over 200 individuals still held captive.
As the situation remains volatile, the need for a ceasefire becomes increasingly critical—not only to prevent further loss of life but also to address the growing humanitarian challenges, including the crucial polio vaccination campaign.