The World Health Organization's executive board on Sunday adopted a resolution for tackling the worsening health situation in the Gaza Strip, calling for immediate and unimpeded humanitarian access. After the UN Security Council declined on Friday to demand a cease-fire between Israel and the Hamas militant group, the 34 countries on the WHO's executive board adopted by consensus a resolution calling for the "immediate, sustained and unimpeded passage of humanitarian relief" into Gaza. The resolution, proposed by Afghanistan, Morocco, Qatar and Yemen, called for the granting of exit permits for patients. It seeks the supply and replenishment of medicine and medical equipment to the civilian population and for all persons deprived of their liberty to be given access to medical treatment. It also expressed "grave concern" over the humanitarian situation and the "widespread destruction", and urged protection for all civilians. Chen Xu, the head of the Chinese Mission to the United Nations Office in Geneva, emphasized the urgency of delivering a cease-fire and bringing an end to violence. He made the remark at a special session organized by the WHO Executive Board on the health situation in the occupied Palestinian territory. China, gravely concerned over the renewed violence in the Gaza Strip, called on the parties concerned to exercise restraint, provide opportunities for peace and grant people peace and stability, Chen said. China calls on the international community, particularly influential countries, concerning the Palestine-Israel issue, to play a responsible role in promoting a comprehensive and lasting cease-fire, and protecting civilians' rights to subsistence and health, he said. Despite agreeing to the resolution, some countries expressed reservations over it. The United States representative said Washington agreed not to oppose the consensus on the text but had "significant reservations", saying it "regrets the lack of balance in the resolution". The UN General Assembly scheduled an emergency meeting Tuesday to vote on a draft resolution demanding an immediate humanitarian cease-fire in Gaza. Riyad Mansour, the Palestinian ambassador to the UN, told The Associated Press it's similar to the Security Council resolution the US vetoed on Friday. Disappointment expressed China expressed regret and disappointment over the US veto of the council resolution, put forward by the United Arab Emirates and backed by nearly 100 member states including China. China's Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said on Monday at a regular news briefing in Beijing: "Condoning the continuation of fighting will result in more civilian casualties and a larger humanitarian catastrophe, sowing the seeds of more hatred." On issues regarding war and peace and involving life and death, major countries with global influence should play a constructive role in cease-fire, should make all-out efforts to reduce civilian casualties and should stand on the side of peace and life, she said. Mao said that nearly 20,000 civilians have died and more than 1 million people are displaced from the Palestine-Israel conflict that has lasted for more than two months. "The immediate priority is to cease fire and it is also the universal appeal of the international community," she added. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has denounced the US position as "aggressive and immoral". It came as heavy fighting raged across Gaza and Israel has faced rising international outrage and calls for a permanent cease-fire after the killing of thousands of Palestinian civilians. About 90 percent of Gaza's 2.3 million people have been displaced within the besieged territory, where UN agencies say there is no safe place to flee. Thousands of people marched in the Belgian and German capitals on Sunday to express support for Jewish communities. There have also been many pro-Palestinian rallies, often drawing large crowds. Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discussed the humanitarian situation in Gaza during a telephone conversation on Sunday, the Kremlin said in a statement. "The discussion focused on the critical situation in the Palestine-Israel conflict zone, in particular, the disastrous humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip," the Kremlin said. Putin and Netanyahu agreed to continue contact, the Kremlin said.