The World Health Organization (WHO) has condemned the Israeli military's recent actions in central Gaza, stating that these assaults have severely hindered its humanitarian efforts. Reports have emerged that Israeli forces targeted a building housing WHO staff and their families in Deir al-Balah, with allegations of mistreatment during these attacks. The agency's primary warehouse in the region was also destroyed, exacerbating the already dire situation in Gaza.
Israel has not commented on the allegations. This is the first substantial ground operation in Deir al-Balah since the onset of conflict with Hamas 21 months ago, leading to the displacement of tens of thousands of Palestinian civilians. The United Nations has warned of a looming famine as malnourished individuals arrive at medical facilities, with the Hamas-run health ministry reporting 19 recent malnutrition-related deaths.
On Sunday, the Israeli military issued evacuation orders for six blocks in southern Deir al-Balah, cautioning that operations would be conducted with significant force to dismantle purported terrorist infrastructure. The evacuation affected between 50,000 to 80,000 residents, who were directed to move southward.
Despite these orders, the UN's humanitarian office announced that their personnel would remain in Deir al-Balah, as they emphasized the importance of their safety and shared locations with Israel. In a statement on Monday, the WHO expressed its condemnation of the attacks, noting that its staff residency endured multiple assaults, leaving staff and their families—some of whom are children—in peril amid active conflict. Reports of forced evacuations of women and children have surfaced, alongside accusations that male staff and family members were detained and interrogated under duress.
The WHO has called for the immediate release of one detained staff member and urged for safeguards for its relocated personnel. They reported that their warehouse was subjected to an assault that ignited fires and led to looting by desperate crowds. The agency alerted that its capacity to operate in Gaza is heavily compromised, pushing the survival for over two million people further out of reach.
Publications have indicated that the Israeli military is working towards establishing a corridor in Deir al-Balah to disconnect it from the al-Mawasi area. This action has led to concerns surrounding the movement of essential services, as nearly 88% of Gaza is currently under evacuation orders or encased in Israeli-controlled zones, forcing many to crowd into a limited area without basic necessities.
The ongoing Israeli military campaign in Gaza follows Hamas's attacks on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which led to significant casualties on both sides. As the conflict continues, the situation remains critical, with nearly 59,000 fatalities reported in Gaza, highlighting the urgent need for humanitarian intervention and protection for health facilities.
Israel has not commented on the allegations. This is the first substantial ground operation in Deir al-Balah since the onset of conflict with Hamas 21 months ago, leading to the displacement of tens of thousands of Palestinian civilians. The United Nations has warned of a looming famine as malnourished individuals arrive at medical facilities, with the Hamas-run health ministry reporting 19 recent malnutrition-related deaths.
On Sunday, the Israeli military issued evacuation orders for six blocks in southern Deir al-Balah, cautioning that operations would be conducted with significant force to dismantle purported terrorist infrastructure. The evacuation affected between 50,000 to 80,000 residents, who were directed to move southward.
Despite these orders, the UN's humanitarian office announced that their personnel would remain in Deir al-Balah, as they emphasized the importance of their safety and shared locations with Israel. In a statement on Monday, the WHO expressed its condemnation of the attacks, noting that its staff residency endured multiple assaults, leaving staff and their families—some of whom are children—in peril amid active conflict. Reports of forced evacuations of women and children have surfaced, alongside accusations that male staff and family members were detained and interrogated under duress.
The WHO has called for the immediate release of one detained staff member and urged for safeguards for its relocated personnel. They reported that their warehouse was subjected to an assault that ignited fires and led to looting by desperate crowds. The agency alerted that its capacity to operate in Gaza is heavily compromised, pushing the survival for over two million people further out of reach.
Publications have indicated that the Israeli military is working towards establishing a corridor in Deir al-Balah to disconnect it from the al-Mawasi area. This action has led to concerns surrounding the movement of essential services, as nearly 88% of Gaza is currently under evacuation orders or encased in Israeli-controlled zones, forcing many to crowd into a limited area without basic necessities.
The ongoing Israeli military campaign in Gaza follows Hamas's attacks on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which led to significant casualties on both sides. As the conflict continues, the situation remains critical, with nearly 59,000 fatalities reported in Gaza, highlighting the urgent need for humanitarian intervention and protection for health facilities.
