Gaza: Polio outbreak worsens as Israel blocks aid

(New York)- Israel Military attacks on health infrastructure and water systems and continued aid obstruction have led to a potentially catastrophic outbreak of polio in Gaza, Human Rights Watch said today. Completely preventable But it spreads quickly, especially among children under five, and can cause disabilities, including paralysis, and death in unvaccinated children.

August 16, 2024, Palestinian Ministry of Health First confirmed case An unvaccinated 10-month-old child in Gaza was diagnosed with polio. On the same day, the World Health Organization (WHO) Reported Three children have developed symptoms of acute flaccid paralysis, raising concerns that the virus may be spreading among children in Gaza. The 10-month-old baby is now paralyzed. The case appeared one month after WHO Sound the alarm Discovery of vaccine-derived poliovirus Gaza wastewater.

“If the Israeli government continues to block emergency aid and destroy water and waste management infrastructure, it will facilitate the spread of the disease, which is already Almost wiped out worldwide.” explain Julia Blecknersenior health and human rights researcher at Human Rights Watch. “Israel’s partners should urge the government to immediately lift the blockade and ensure unhindered humanitarian access to Gaza so that vaccines can be distributed in a timely manner to curb the ongoing polio outbreak.”

Before the confirmed case on August 16, Palestine I haven’t had polio in 25 years.However, Israel’s continued destruction of Gaza’s healthcare, water and sanitation facilities, and obstruction of aid and humanitarian access have created “a perfect environment for the spread of diseases like polio,” according to Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization.

The spread of polio virus Hundreds of thousands of children Human Rights Watch said 1.5 million people in Gaza may have missed routine vaccinations since hostilities escalated in October 2023. In 2022, polio vaccination rates in Gaza reached “optimal levels”. About 99%By early 2024, these rates had Dropped to below 90%.

When vaccine-derived poliovirus was detected in wastewater, authorities responded with targeted vaccination campaigns to protect children. But Dr. Hamid Jaafari, director of the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Polio Eradication Program, told Human Rights Watch on July 27 that “shocks to health systems, insecurity, poor transportation, population displacement, and shortages of medical supplies have led to a decline in routine immunization rates.”

WHO plans to launch two rounds of polio vaccination campaigns in Gaza in late August. Humanitarian actors are Sound the alarm If Israel continues to bomb civilians and civilian infrastructure and obstruct humanitarian access, more than 640,000 children who need polio vaccines will not receive them.

In addition to security risks, Gaza’s severely weakened public health system makes it difficult for humanitarian workers to ensure that these vaccines reach the children who need them, a problem made worse by the Israeli army’s repeated expulsions of nearly the entire population. Humanitarianism is hindered Mission in Gaza and Attacks on medical and other aid workers They shared precise coordinates.

In addition, the Israeli military has also obstructed the flow of aid into Gaza, first prohibit According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, humanitarian aid entering Gaza Down more than 50% Since April About a third of humanitarian aid missions are denied access Since August 1, the Israeli authorities have opened up the Gaza Strip

International humanitarian law Israel, as the occupying power in Gaza, is required to ensure that the basic needs of the civilian population are met. Obligation “Allow and facilitate the rapid and unhindered passage of humanitarian assistance to assist civilians in need.” This is a positive obligation that requires Israel to ensure civilians have access to medical supplies, including vaccines.

Preventable diseases Tend to appear and systematic human rights violations. Violations of people’s rights to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene hinder access to vaccines and health care, creating conditions for the spread of preventable diseases among vulnerable populations, Human Rights Watch said.

Israeli military attacks destroyed critical civilian infrastructure needed to prevent and respond to disease outbreaks in Gaza, including Hospital, Drinking water sourceand Waste management infrastructure. The Israeli army also Destroyed Gaza’s main water testing laboratory was affected, making epidemiological surveillance of poliovirus and other waterborne diseases extremely difficult.

The Israeli army used starvation As a weapon in the Gaza Warhindering the food supply, Water-related suppliesThis is a war crime. The people of Gaza have only experienced Average 1.5 to 9 liters Daily water consumption Since November, water consumption has been less than 15 liters per day. The minimum necessary for survivalThe World Health Organization says deliberately depriving civilians of clean drinking water is a war crime.

Oxfam report Research published in July found that the Israeli army had destroyed 70 percent of Gaza’s sewage pumps and all wastewater treatment plants, resulting in 340,000 tons of solid waste Close to densely populated areas. According to the Gaza Ministry of Healththe polio virus was found in sewage between the crowded tents of people displaced by Israeli air strikes.

Waterborne diseases have surged in Gaza. More than a quarter of the population suffers from preventable water- and sanitation-related illnesses, such as acute diarrhea, skin diseases, and hepatitis A. Human Rights Watch Recorded The Israeli military has repeatedly carried out clearly illegal attacks on medical facilities and should be investigated War crimesThis has severely hampered the ability to respond to disease outbreaks. Only 16 out of 36 people Gaza’s hospitals have even partially resumed operations. Even fewer are accessible.

The International Criminal Court is considering issuing arrest warrants for senior Israeli officials, accusing them of depriving Gaza civilians of “objects indispensable to human survival,” including “Clean water”. Human Rights Watch said Israel is violating the legally binding orders of the International Court of Justice by obstructing the flow of life-saving aid and services into Gaza. Since January, the International Court of Justice has ordered provisional measures three times requiring Israel to ensure the delivery of basic services and humanitarian aid as part of South Africa’s allegations that Israel is violating the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.

Human Rights Watch said the Israeli government should immediately end its blockade of Gaza and ensure full and unhindered humanitarian access to Gaza, including vaccines and medicines. Countries should use targeted sanctions and embargoes to compel the Israeli government to comply with the ICJ’s binding order.

“Gaza’s children, already suffering from hunger and epidemics due to Israel’s blockade and attacks on civilian infrastructure, are now facing an unprecedented outbreak of polio with no vaccine to protect them,” said Bleckner. “Israel’s allies should unequivocally urge an end to the siege of Gaza.”