ISLAMABAD: The Palestinian flag has been raised at the World Health Organization (WHO) headquarters in Geneva following a symbolic vote at the organization’s annual assembly.
The move comes amid ongoing Israeli airstrikes in the Gaza Strip, which claimed the lives of over 50 people in a single day, further intensifying the humanitarian crisis in the region.
The vote, led by nations including China, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia, passed with 95 countries in favor and only four opposing — Israel, Germany, Hungary, and the Czech Republic.
This step is seen as a significant diplomatic gesture for Palestine at a time of heightened conflict. Notably, the United States chose not to participate in the vote.
Civilian Death Toll Rises Amid Continued Bombardments
While the Palestinian flag was raised in Geneva, devastation continued in Gaza.
An Israeli airstrike hit a school in Gaza City being used as a shelter, killing at least 33 displaced civilians, mostly women and children. Eyewitnesses described horrific scenes as burned bodies were pulled from the rubble.
In a separate attack in Jabalia, 19 more people were killed. Despite claims by Israeli forces that these buildings were being used by militant groups, local residents insisted they were sheltering civilians with nowhere else to go.
The civil defense teams in Gaza are struggling to respond to the mounting casualties.
The food crisis is also worsening, with the UN Food and Agriculture Organization revealing that only 4.6% of Gaza’s land remains arable due to destruction and restricted access. Fears of famine are rising rapidly as aid fails to reach the majority of the population.
Resignations, Ceasefire Proposals, and Global Outcry
The head of the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation resigned just before the group was set to begin operations, citing an inability to meet humanitarian principles. The foundation, criticized for being too closely aligned with Israeli interests, had faced boycotts from key international relief agencies.
Meanwhile, Hamas has agreed to a new ceasefire proposal mediated by US envoy Steve Witkoff, including the release of hostages and a 70-day truce. However, Israeli officials rejected the terms, calling them unacceptable and questioning Hamas’s intentions.
International frustration is also growing, with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz publicly questioning the Israeli military’s objectives in Gaza, stating that the operations no longer appear to have a clear goal.
