Israeli evacuation orders cram Palestinians into shrinking ‘humanitarian zone’ where food is scarce
Associated PressAUG 2024
Gaza 'Polio Pauses' Likely in Coming Days
Above: A truck transporting aid from the Emirati aid ship in Al-Arish ports on July 29, 2024 in Arish, Egypt. Image copyright: Ali Moustafa/Stringer/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
Humanitarian pauses will be necessary to ensure that Gaza's children are protected from polio. Both sides need to respect a temporary truce so that health workers can administer vaccines effectively. Israel has worked with the US and humanitarian agencies to help make this process smoother.
Pro-Israel narrative
Though Israel is committed to its war goals and the release of all hostages, a polio outbreak in Gaza would be a disaster for both Palestinians and Israelis. Israel has not accepted a cease-fire or a temporary truce that applies to all of Gaza, as the agreement stipulates that specific areas will see a cessation of hostilities.
Pro-Palestine narrative
The US has consistently failed to address Israel's intransigence regarding the situation in Gaza. Allowing for a vaccination campaign is the bare minimum in terms of reducing the suffering of Palestinians who are still facing Israel's genocidal war. Indeed, it is still unclear if this vaccination campaign will even be successful.