In a recent development, a motion brought forth by Afghanistan, Morocco, Qatar, and Yemen is under review by the World Health Organization (WHO) board. The motion proposes facilitating the passage of medical personnel and supplies and entrusts the WHO with the responsibility of securing funding for the reconstruction of hospitals. However, the motion has faced criticism from Israel, asserting that it disproportionately concentrates on Israel itself and neglects to address what it describes as Hamas’ use of civilians as human shields. Israel contends that this is happening by placing command centers and weapons inside hospitals.
The dire situation in Gaza’s healthcare sector was emphasized by WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus during an emergency board meeting in Geneva. He expressed that the impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on healthcare has been “catastrophic,” creating conditions conducive to the spread of deadly diseases. Despite acknowledging the urgent health needs and a drastic reduction in the health system’s capacity, Tedros deemed it “almost impossible” for the WHO to improve the situation due to the ongoing violence.
The motion, aimed at addressing the pressing healthcare issues in Gaza, demands passage for medical personnel and supplies and calls for funding to rebuild hospitals. However, Tedros highlighted the significant challenges in meeting these requests, citing the precarious security situation on the ground. He expressed deep regret over the inability of the United Nations Security Council to reach a consensus on a ceasefire, hindering efforts to address the critical healthcare situation in Gaza.
Israel’s criticism of the motion adds a layer of complexity to the situation, as the country contends that it gives disproportionate attention to Israel itself. Moreover, Israel claims that the motion fails to address what it describes as Hamas’ use of civilians as human shields. According to Israel, this tactic involves placing command centers and weapons inside hospitals, further complicating the already challenging circumstances on the ground.
Amidst this backdrop, the WHO emergency session underscores the severity of the situation in Gaza, with parallels drawn to previous emergency sessions held during health crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and the West Africa Ebola epidemic in 2015. The geopolitical tensions and the urgent healthcare needs in Gaza have brought the international community to a critical juncture, navigating the delicate balance between addressing humanitarian concerns and addressing the broader geopolitical context.
