'Worst-case' famine possible in Gaza as 1.84 million acutely malnourished, report says
USA TodayOct 19
Polio Vaccination Campaign in North Gaza Postponed
Above: Internally displaced Palestinians from Beit Lahia and Jabalia get the food distributed in Nasser district of Gaza City on Oct. 23, 2024. Image copyright: Mahmoud Issa/Contributor/Anadolu via Getty Images
The Facts
The World Health Organization (WHO) on Wednesday said that Israeli bombardment, the mass displacement of Palestinians, and a lack of access have paused a polio vaccination campaign in northern Gaza. The first round of vaccinations started in September.
Israel said Wednesday that the WHO's second round of vaccinations reached 266,273 children under the age of 10 in southern Gaza, representing 91% of the target population of the area. It added that the vaccine campaign in northern Gaza "will begin in the coming days."
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
Though the situation in the region continues to escalate, the US has stood firm in its role as a mediator. Israel has every right to respond to the daily terror attacks it has seen since Oct. 7, 2023. However, it's in no one's interest for tensions to explode into a wider regional war. The US will continue to work toward regional stability.
Pro-Israel narrative
Hamas continues to use Gaza's civilian population as human shields as it increasingly converts schools and hospitals into command and control centers. Indeed, Hamas is solely to blame for the destruction of Gaza and its impact on the civilian population, as it started this terrible war with the massacres of Oct. 7. Israel will continue to pacify the group and confront its regional enemies.
Pro-Palestine narrative
Israel is bombing several countries in the Middle East yet it continues to play the victim. As it commits genocide in Gaza and works to destroy Lebanon — all in the name of "remaking the Middle East" — it will only create more problems for itself. Israel's aggression is only strengthening the resolve of its enemies and pushing the civilian population into its enemies' arms.
Narrative D
Hezbollah and Lebanon have experienced immense suffering for supporting Palestine against Israel's genocidal actions, yet the group will continue its noble fight. Hezbollah is ready and able to defend Lebanon from Israeli aggression and its attacks will end when Israel withdraws from Gaza.