The resolution is set to be deliberated on Sunday during a special session of the WHO Executive Council focusing on the "health situation in the occupied Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem."
The nations submitting the draft include Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Bolivia, China, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Malaysia, Morocco, Pakistan, Palestine, Qatar, Tunisia, Turkey, and Yemen.
The draft resolution expresses deep concern about the dire humanitarian conditions in the occupied Palestinian territories, particularly the aftermath of military operations in the Gaza Strip. It highlights issues such as the blockade, substantial damage to the public health sector, and the risks posed by victims still trapped under rubble, unsanitary conditions, and overcrowded shelters.
Key points in the draft resolution call on Israeli authorities to ensure the respect and protection of medical and humanitarian workers, guarantee the safe passage of workers and supplies, and facilitate the passage for medical and humanitarian personnel. Additionally, it urges the international community to provide adequate funding for WHO health programs, addressing immediate and future needs, and collaborating with UN institutions to rebuild the Palestinian health system.
The WHO Executive Council, consisting of 34 member states elected for three-year terms, plays a crucial role in implementing decisions of the World Health Assembly. The resolution aims to address the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and emphasize the importance of safeguarding the well-being of medical and humanitarian workers. (ILKHA)