Born during the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, 10-month-old Abdel-Rahman Abuel-Jedian showed early signs of mobility by crawling, until one day when his left leg seemed paralyzed. He is the first verified case of polio in Gaza in 25 years, as reported by the World Health Organization. Abdel-Rahman’s mother, Nevine Abuel-Jedian, tearfully described how her son, who was once lively, suddenly lost his ability to crawl, move, stand, and sit.

Health experts in Gaza had been cautioning about the risk of a polio outbreak due to the escalating humanitarian crisis triggered by Israel’s offensive. Before the conflict, most children in Gaza were immunized against polio. However, Abdel-Rahman was not vaccinated because he was born just prior to the chaos that ensued when Hamas militants attacked Israel, leading to a halt in regular vaccinations.

According to the WHO, for every paralysis case from polio, hundreds more individuals are likely infected without showing symptoms. While most people infected recover within a week, there is no cure for polio-induced paralysis, which can be irreversible, and in severe cases affecting breathing, it may lead to fatality.

The Abuel-Jedian family, now residing in a crowded tent camp, faces unsanitary conditions that are conducive to diseases like polio, transmitted through contaminated fecal matter. The United Nations is planning a vaccination campaign to prevent the disease from spreading further and safeguard other families from experiencing similar hardships.

Due to continuous displacement, the Abuel-Jedian family, consisting of ten members, moved from one shelter to another before settling in a tent in Deir al-Balah. Abdel-Rahman’s mother expressed shock upon learning about his polio diagnosis. The WHO reports two other children with paralysis in Gaza, with samples sent for testing.

UNICEF advocates for a cease-fire to vaccinate the majority of Gaza’s children under 10. Over 1.2 million vaccine doses have arrived in Gaza, with more on the way. COGAT, Israel’s military body overseeing civilian affairs, permitted U.N. trucks carrying vaccines into Gaza. Failure to implement the vaccination campaign could have severe consequences not only for Gaza but neighboring regions as well.

In the family’s tent, Nevine Abuel-Jedian looks at her youngest child, hoping for his recovery and a future like that of his siblings, who are actively moving and playing.