Mon Nov 04 04:08:04 UTC 2024: ## Gaza Polio Vaccination Campaign Resumes Amidst War, Israel Claims Ground Raid in Syria
**GAZA CITY, GAZA STRIP (AP)** – A scaled-down polio vaccination campaign resumed in parts of northern Gaza on Saturday, despite ongoing Israeli bombardment and the displacement of tens of thousands of residents. The Health Ministry in the Hamas-ruled territory said children began receiving the second dose of the polio vaccine in Gaza City, after the campaign was postponed due to security concerns and lack of access.
The vaccination campaign aims to prevent the spread of polio, which resurfaced in Gaza for the first time in 25 years. The first case, a 10-month-old boy who is now paralyzed in the leg, raised alarms about the potential for a widespread outbreak.
Meanwhile, Israel announced it had carried out a ground raid into Syria, capturing a Syrian citizen they claim was involved in Iranian networks. This marked the first time Israel publicly acknowledged a ground operation in Syria during the ongoing conflict.
The Israeli military said the raid, which occurred sometime in recent months, was part of a special operation targeting Iranian initiatives aimed at the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights. They identified the captured individual as Ali Soleiman al-Assi, a senior Hezbollah operative.
The Israeli offensive in Lebanon has killed over 2,500 people in the past year. The Israeli government has vowed to cripple Hezbollah and prevent the transfer of Iranian weapons to Lebanon via Syria.
In the U.S., Vice President Kamala Harris addressed the ongoing conflict in Gaza, acknowledging the anger of progressives and Arab Americans towards the Biden administration’s continued support for Israel. She stated that she would do everything in her power to end the war, secure the release of hostages, and ensure the safety of both Israelis and Palestinians.
The conflict continues to escalate, with Israeli forces launching an offensive in northern Gaza, where they claim Hamas fighters have regrouped. Israeli shelling struck Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza, injuring patients, including children. The Israeli Defense Forces denied responsibility, blaming the incident on an explosive device planted by Hamas militants.
UNICEF and WHO, which are jointly conducting the polio vaccination campaign, expressed concern about the reported strike, calling for an end to attacks on civilians and humanitarian workers.
The war, which began on October 7, 2023, has claimed over 43,000 Palestinian lives, according to Gaza health authorities. In Israel, over 1,200 people have been killed, most of them civilians. The conflict continues to be a source of international tension and concern.
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