Israel has agreed to a three-day humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza to facilitate a polio vaccination campaign, according to a statement released by the United Nations.
The ceasefire, set to begin on Sunday, September 1, will allow the World Health Organization (WHO) to carry out a mass vaccination drive across the Gaza Strip, targeting approximately 640,000 children. The UN announced that the ceasefire will be observed daily from 6 AM to 3 PM for the three-day period, though it may be extended beyond the initial timeframe.
The UN’s statement did not clarify whether the ceasefire would apply only to central Gaza or the entire strip, leaving some ambiguity regarding the extent of the truce.
Efforts to reach a permanent ceasefire have been ongoing for several months, with the Biden administration playing a key role in mediation. However, despite repeated assurances that an agreement was imminent, negotiators have yet to secure a lasting resolution.
The temporary truce underscores the urgent need for humanitarian action amid the ongoing conflict, as the international community continues to press for a more permanent peace agreement.