WHO Surpasses Polio Vaccination Targets in Gaza Children

A Palestinian child cries during a polio vaccination campaign, amid the Israel-Hamas conflict, in Deir Al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip, September 3, 2024. REUTERS/Hussam Al-Masri
A Palestinian child cries during a polio vaccination campaign, amid the Israel-Hamas conflict, in Deir Al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip, September 3, 2024. REUTERS/Hussam Al-Masri
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WHO Surpasses Polio Vaccination Targets in Gaza Children

A Palestinian child cries during a polio vaccination campaign, amid the Israel-Hamas conflict, in Deir Al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip, September 3, 2024. REUTERS/Hussam Al-Masri
A Palestinian child cries during a polio vaccination campaign, amid the Israel-Hamas conflict, in Deir Al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip, September 3, 2024. REUTERS/Hussam Al-Masri

The World Health Organization in Gaza said on Tuesday that it is ahead of its targets for polio vaccinations in Gaza on day three of the mass campaign.

Rik Peeperkorn, WHO representative for the Occupied Palestinian territories, told reporters that it had vaccinated over 161,000 children under 10 in the central area in the first two days of its campaign versus a projected 150,000.

"Up until now things are going well," he said. "These humanitarian pauses, up until now they work. We still have ten days to go."

WHO has said Israel agreed to limited pauses in the fighting to facilitate the campaign.

Israel has said the vaccination program will continue through Sept. 9 and last eight hours a day.



Switzerland Announces Reopening of Embassy in Baghdad

Security agents search private cars arriving at the Baghdad International Airport on August 17, 2024. (Photo by Murtadha RIDHA / AFP)
Security agents search private cars arriving at the Baghdad International Airport on August 17, 2024. (Photo by Murtadha RIDHA / AFP)
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Switzerland Announces Reopening of Embassy in Baghdad

Security agents search private cars arriving at the Baghdad International Airport on August 17, 2024. (Photo by Murtadha RIDHA / AFP)
Security agents search private cars arriving at the Baghdad International Airport on August 17, 2024. (Photo by Murtadha RIDHA / AFP)

Switzerland reopened its embassy in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, on Tuesday, 33 years after closing its previous representation in the country due to the 1991 Gulf War, the Swiss foreign ministry said in a statement.

"By reopening the embassy, the federal council aims to strengthen bilateral relations with the populous country and deepen cooperation in economic, security and migration matters," the statement read.