The urgency of this vaccination effort has been heightened by the recent paralysis of a child in Gaza due to poliovirus, the first case in the region in 25 years.

Health workers in Gaza are facing significant challenges, including ongoing fighting and damaged infrastructure, as they strive to complete the vaccination campaign.

Israel and Hamas have agreed to a limited ceasefire to facilitate the vaccination efforts, which are critical for preventing a larger outbreak.

A significant polio vaccination campaign is currently underway in Gaza, aiming to immunize 640,000 children under ten years old amid ongoing military conflict.

This second phase of the vaccination campaign is concluding in southern Gaza and will soon move north, with dozens of vaccination sites established in cities like Khan Younis and Rafah.

As of this week, approximately 189,000 children have received the polio vaccine, marking a rare positive development during nearly 11 months of conflict.

The campaign is supported by the United Nations and is crucial for achieving herd immunity against polio in the region.

The World Health Organization has called for 'humanitarian pauses' in the conflict to support vaccination efforts and improve health conditions.

Unhygienic conditions in Gaza, exacerbated by the ongoing conflict, have created an environment conducive to the spread of the virus.

Despite progress in vaccination efforts, diplomatic negotiations for a permanent ceasefire remain stalled, complicating the situation further.

Recent Israeli airstrikes have resulted in multiple casualties, including attacks on locations like the Halima al-Sa-diyya school compound, which was sheltering displaced persons.

Gaza's Health Ministry reports that the ongoing conflict has led to over 40,800 casualties, highlighting the dire humanitarian situation in the region.