Polio vaccine campaign begins early in Gaza as strikes continue

A campaign to inoculate children in Gaza against polio and prevent the spread of the virus began on Saturday, a day before the large-scale rollout and planned temporary pause in fighting agreed to by Israel and the United Nations World Health Organization.

Children in Gaza began receiving vaccines, the Strip's Hamas-controlled health ministry announced in a news conference. Associated Press reporters saw roughly ten infants receiving doses of the vaccine in the Nasser hospital in Khan Younis on Saturday afternoon, local time.

"I was terrified and waiting for the vaccination to arrive and for everyone to receive it," said Amal Shaheen, whose daughter received a dose.