On May 26, 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) approved a resolution allowing the Palestinian flag to be flown at its headquarters in Geneva. The proposal, introduced by China, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and others, passed with 95 votes in favor, 4 against (Israel, Hungary, Czech Republic, and Germany), and 27 abstentions. This symbolic gesture is seen as a step toward greater recognition of Palestine within the United Nations system.Â
The vote occurred amid ongoing Israeli military operations in Gaza. On the same day, at least 52 Palestinians were killed in Israeli airstrikes, including 33 individuals—mostly children—who were sheltering in a school in Gaza City. The Israeli military claimed the school was being used by Hamas and Islamic Jihad for planning attacks. Additionally, 19 people were killed in Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip.Â
In a related development, Jake Wood, the executive director of the U.S.-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, resigned just before the organization was set to commence aid deliveries. Wood cited the foundation’s inability to adhere to humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and independence. The foundation had faced criticism for its plans to use private contractors under Israeli security oversight and to screen aid recipients for Hamas affiliations, potentially using facial recognition technology.Â
Furthermore, the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization reported that only 4.6% of Gaza’s farmland remains usable due to the ongoing conflict, exacerbating the risk of famine in the region.Â