WHO says 'intense bombardment' halts Gaza polio vaccinations

The World Health Organization said Wednesday that “intense bombardment” and “escalating violence” in northern Gaza had forced it to postpone the final phase of a child polio vaccination drive.The necessary second round of vaccinations has been completed in central and southern Gaza, and was to begin on Wednesday in the north.But the WHO said it had been “compelled to postpone” the bid to give 119,279 children in northern Gaza a second vaccine dose.Israel launched a major air and ground assault in northern Gaza this month, vowing to stop Hamas militants from regrouping in the area.The…