The World Health Assembly, meeting in Geneva from 18–23 May, adopted two resolutions addressing the health situation in the occupied Palestinian territory and the occupied Syrian Golan, with broad international support.
The Palestinian News and Information Agency (WAFA) reported that the Assembly approved the first resolution, titled “Health conditions in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, and in the occupied Syrian Golan,” with 89 votes in favor, 31 abstentions, and 5 votes against.
The resolution warns of the severe and worsening humanitarian and health crisis, particularly in the Gaza Strip, linking the collapse of food security and public health to policies of starvation, obstruction of essential supplies, and the breakdown of the health system.
It highlights the growing risk of disease outbreaks in overcrowded shelters and calls on the WHO Director‑General to issue periodic, field‑based reports documenting violations against patients, the wounded, medical personnel, and ambulances.
The resolution stresses the need to protect medical facilities, ensure the entry of fuel and medical supplies without obstruction, and provide vaccines, medicines, and mental‑health services, especially for traumatized children and adolescents.
It also calls for compliance with International Court of Justice measures, including opening crossings and facilitating medical evacuations, and urges the convening of an international donors’ conference before the next Assembly to support reconstruction of the Palestinian health sector.
WAFA added that the Assembly adopted a second resolution, “Health conditions in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem,” with 108 votes in favor, 13 abstentions, and 3 votes against, marking one of the highest levels of international support for the Palestinian file within the WHO.
The resolution builds on the December 2023 special session and focuses on the catastrophic health and humanitarian situation in Gaza, including the extensive destruction of health infrastructure.
The resolution expresses deep concern over the killing and injury of tens of thousands of civilians, most of them women, children, and the elderly, as well as thousands of people missing under the rubble.
It condemns the heavy losses among medical teams and humanitarian workers and notes that many hospitals and ambulances are out of service due to bombardment or fuel shortages, leading to the shutdown of operating rooms, intensive‑care units, and neonatal incubators.
It warns of grave environmental and health risks resulting from the inability to retrieve bodies trapped under destroyed buildings amid the collapse of essential services.
The resolution calls for immediate and unconditional humanitarian and medical access to Gaza, facilitation of medical evacuations, and full protection of health facilities and medical personnel under the 1949 Geneva Conventions.
It also urges urgent funding to rehabilitate the Palestinian health system in cooperation with WHO, UNRWA, and international partners.
WAFA quoted Palestinian Health Minister Majed Abu Ramadan as saying that the adoption of the two resolutions sends a clear international message that the world can no longer ignore the humanitarian and health catastrophe in Palestine.
He said the broad support reflects growing recognition of the Palestinian right to health, life, and human dignity, and underscores the urgent need to protect hospitals and ensure unrestricted flow of medical supplies.
Abu Ramadan added that the Palestinian health sector is facing one of the gravest crises in its history and called for immediate international action that goes beyond statements to concrete measures capable of saving what remains of the health system.
He expressed appreciation for the supporting states and affirmed that Palestinian institutions will continue working with international partners to ensure implementation of the resolutions and accountability for violations against the health sector.
