News Links February 1, 2026

 

Sunday, February 1, 2026

Malawi

Malawi has declared a polio outbreak after poliovirus type 2 was detected in sewage samples in Blantyre, raising serious health risks for children who could face irreversible paralysis. The Health Ministry is working with WHO to intensify containment measures and plans supplementary immunization campaigns, procuring 6.8 million vaccine doses through UNICEF support.

Gaza

Israel partially reopened the Rafah crossing on a trial basis after being nearly completely closed for over two years, with 50 patients allowed to leave Gaza daily and 50 people permitted to enter.  Some 20,000 Palestinians await medical care outside Gaza. Israel simultaneously moved to ban Doctors Without Borders from Gaza by February 28 over disputed staff registration requirements.

Yemen

The United Nations has declared its relationship with the Houthi movement has reached a dead end, with the World Food Program halting all operations in Houthi-controlled areas after raiders seized offices and detained 73 UN staff on espionage charges. The UN warns these measures will cause unprecedented humanitarian deterioration for 12 million people dependent on food assistance.

Syria

Residents of the al-Hol camp expressed hope that the Syrian government will soon allow them to return home  after years under YPG and US detention. Camp residents celebrated the YPG's withdrawal by burning checkpoints and administration buildings.

The UN Commission of Inquiry welcomed the ceasefire agreement between Syria's government and the Syrian Democratic Forces, urging unimpeded humanitarian access as cold winter conditions threaten vulnerable populations. The agreement provides for immediate ceasefire, military withdrawal, formation of three SDF brigades under Syrian command, and integration of Kurdish Autonomous Administration institutions into Syrian state structures.

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