Israeli doctors demand hostages be included in UN’s polio vaccine campaign in Gaza

People walk next to pictures of Israelis held hostage by Hamas terrorists in Gaza, in Jerusalem, August 22, 2024. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)
People walk next to pictures of Israelis held hostage by Hamas terrorists in Gaza, in Jerusalem, August 22, 2024. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)

The head of Israel’s association of public health physicians is calling on the United Nations to make sure that Israeli hostages held in Gaza are included in an upcoming polio vaccination campaign.

In a letter to the directors of the World Health Organization and UNICEF, Dr. Hagai Levine notes that two young brothers, Kfir Bibas, 1, and Ariel Bibas, 5, are among the hostages. He also says many of the adult hostages are overdue for booster shots.

“Given their vulnerable position and the lack of essential vaccinations, the hostages are at severe risk,” Levine, who also serves as head of the health division for the Hostage Families Forum umbrella group, writes in a letter.

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