Geneva, Switzerland – The World Health Organization’s executive board on Sunday adopted a resolution on tackling the worsening health situation in the Gaza Strip, calling for immediate and unimpeded humanitarian access.
After the UN Security Council declined Friday to demand a ceasefire between Israel and the Hamas militant group, the 34 countries on the WHO’s executive board adopted by consensus a resolution calling for the “immediate, sustained and unimpeded passage of humanitarian relief” into Gaza.
The resolution, proposed by Afghanistan, Morocco, Qatar and Yemen, called for the granting of exit permits for patients.
It seeks the supply and replenishment of medicine and medical equipment to the civilian population and for all persons deprived of their liberty to be given access to medical treatment.
It also expressed “grave concern” for the humanitarian situation and the “widespread destruction”, and urged protection for all civilians.
Despite agreeing to the resolution, some countries expressed reservations about the resolution.
The United States’ representative said Washington agreed not to oppose the consensus on the text but had “significant reservations”, saying it “regrets the lack of balance in the resolution”.
Canada said it considered the text a “compromise resolution” that could have gone further with additional language acknowledging role of Hamas in the conflict, such as its taking of hostages and “use of human shields”.
Australia said it took issue with the fact that the resolution did not make specific reference to the October 7 attacks, which were “the catalyst for the current devastating situation”.