A draft resolution submitted yesterday (Friday) to the World Health Organization by 17 member states and Palestine with special status calls on Israel to fully respect its obligations to protect medical and humanitarian personnel in the Gaza Strip, which is subjected to heavy bombardment by the Israeli army.

The text is scheduled to be considered tomorrow (Sunday) during a special session of the Executive Council of the World Health Organization, which will be held to discuss “the health situation in the occupied Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem.” It was presented by Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Bolivia, China, Egypt, the Emirates, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Malaysia, Morocco, Pakistan, Palestine, Qatar, Tunisia, Turkey and Yemen.

The draft resolution stated: “The Executive Council expresses its deep concern about the catastrophic humanitarian situation in the occupied Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem, and in particular regarding the military operations in the Gaza Strip,” according to what Agence France-Presse reported.

The text expresses concern about “the blockade being imposed” and the extent of “the significant damage to the public health sector.” He also talks about the risks that could be posed to public health by the presence of “thousands of victims still buried under the rubble,” as well as the poor hygiene conditions and overcrowded shelters.

Israel has imposed a comprehensive siege on the Gaza Strip since October 9, two days after the unprecedented attack launched by Hamas on settlements around the Gaza Strip. In response, Israel bombed the Gaza Strip and launched a ground attack against it since October 27, which led to the death of more than 17,000 people, 70 percent of whom were women and minors, and the injury of more than 46,000.

The draft resolution calls on the “occupying authority” to “ensure respect and protection for all medical and humanitarian workers whose activities are limited to medicine, their means of transportation and equipment, as well as hospitals and other medical facilities.”

It also calls on “the occupying authority to facilitate uninterrupted, orderly, free, safe and unhindered passage for medical and humanitarian workers.”

It also calls on the international community to “mobilize sufficient funding to meet the immediate and future needs of WHO health programs” and “to rebuild the Palestinian health system, in close cooperation with the World Health Organization and specialized institutions” of the United Nations.

The Executive Board of the World Health Organization includes 34 member states elected for three-year terms from each of the organization's regions. It plays an extremely important role in implementing World Health Assembly resolutions.

Source: Asharq Alawsat