Israel begins polio vaccination for soldiers fighting in Gaza

A view of garbage which poses danger for the people who still live at the area while the Palestinians worry that the polio virus detected in wastewater will infect their children as the Israeli attacks continue in Gaza Strip on July 21, 2024 [Dawoud Abo Alkas/Anadolu Agency]

The Israeli army has begun vaccinating soldiers fighting in the besieged Gaza Strip against polio virus, Israel’s Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper has reported.

According to the paper, health agencies found the virus in sewage samples collected from Gaza.

The army authorities have begun “a broad vaccination operation for all ground troops, both regular and reserves,” said a military statement.

The army did not give a figure for the number of soldiers involved but thousands of regular and reservist troops are reported to be fighting in Gaza.

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