Gaza faces 'polio epidemic' as Israel attempts to cut off clean drinking water

The Gaza-based Al Mezan Center for Human Rights has urged international intervention to stop Israel’s "weaponization" of water and sanitation in the Gaza Strip, where over 1 million children are at risk.

"To prevent thousands of deaths, the international community must ensure Israel immediately ends its genocide, including the weaponization of water and sanitation facilities," the organisation stated on social media.

Al Mezan's plea came after the Gaza health ministry declared the territory a "polio epidemic zone" due to the discovery of the virus in wastewater and sewage samples, despite the disease being eradicated in Palestine years ago.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) emphasised on Monday that a ceasefire is essential to deliver the polio vaccine to Gaza and protect its vulnerable children.