WHO chief calls again for ceasefire in Gaza Strip at special meeting
Published: Sunday, Dec 10th 2023, 17:20
Updated At: Sunday, Dec 10th 2023, 17:21
Volver a Live Feed
The Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, described the devastating situation in the Gaza Strip on Sunday. "The consequences of the conflict on health are catastrophic," he said at the start of a special session of the WHO Executive Board in Geneva. In the evening, the Council adopted a resolution without a vote which, among other things, calls for an expansion of humanitarian aid deliveries. The USA, Germany and other countries criticized the fact that the terrorist attack on Israel on October 7 was not mentioned and condemned in the text.
Tedros condemned the attack by Palestinian terrorists on Israel on October 7, in which around 1,200 people were killed and abused and more than 240 were taken hostage in the Gaza Strip. He understands the anger, grief and fear in Israel following the attacks. He also understood the anger, grief and fear of the people of the Gaza Strip, who had already suffered 16 years under an Israeli blockade and were now experiencing the destruction of their families, their homes and their lives. He once again called for a humanitarian ceasefire in order to be able to help the people.
Israel declared war on Hamas after the attacks. According to the Palestinian authorities, more than 17,000 people have died in the Gaza Strip since then. 1.9 million of the approximately 2.2 million inhabitants have been displaced and tens of thousands of homes destroyed.
Palestinian Health Minister Mai al-Kaila, speaking from Ramallah in the occupied West Bank, called on the international community to do everything possible to end the brutal war. Israel must be held accountable for the destruction and attacks on hospitals.
Israel is doing everything it can to spare civilians, said Israeli Ambassador Meirav Eilon Shahar. She blamed Hamas for the devastating conditions. Hamas terrorists were hiding in hospitals and schools and abusing civilians as human shields. The Executive Council meeting was superfluous. It would only play into the hands of Hamas, who would see themselves boosted by the unjustified condemnations of Israel.
The Executive Board is the highest decision-making body of the WHO between annual meetings. It is made up of 34 countries, each of which is elected for three years. 17 of the 34 had requested the special session and proposed a resolution to be voted on on Sunday. Germany is not currently a member.
©Keystone/SDA
Spanish 
English 
German 
French 
Arabic