Israel has initiated a vaccination campaign for its troops in Gaza against polio and is providing vaccines to the Palestinian population, following the detection of the virus in the region, according to a military statement on Sunday.
The army has launched a comprehensive vaccination operation for all ground troops, including both regular and reserve forces, the statement detailed. Although the number of soldiers vaccinated was not specified, it is known that thousands of regular and reservist troops are engaged in the ongoing conflict, which began with the October 7 Hamas attacks.
The decision to vaccinate was made after the army conducted sample tests in Gaza, where the majority of the population is displaced and the health and sanitation infrastructure has been severely damaged by the war. UN agencies reported that the Global Polio Laboratory Network identified type-2 poliovirus in six environmental samples collected on June 23. Israel's health ministry confirmed similar findings, though no human cases have been reported.
The Israeli army is also collaborating with other organizations to distribute vaccines to the Gaza population, with 300,000 vaccines already supplied. The highly contagious virus is transmitted through contaminated water or oral contact and can lead to paralysis, and in severe cases, death. In many displacement camps, wastewater flows between tents and fresh water is becoming increasingly scarce.
Due to limited fuel, aid agencies struggle to deliver water, and pumps at wells cannot be operated. Many individuals travel long distances to access safe water from points established by volunteers. Northern Gaza is particularly affected by food and water shortages following major Israeli offensives. Ahmed Al Shanbari, a resident of a camp in Jabalia, described the water his family has as unsuitable for drinking or cooking, and his children suffer from various health issues with no available treatment in northern Gaza.
The military has coordinated with the health ministry to ensure troops operating in the area are vaccinated to safeguard both the soldiers and Israeli citizens. Vaccinations will be administered as troops rotate in and out of Gaza. The Israeli army comprises approximately 170,000 full-time soldiers and 300,000 reservists.
