WHO raises the alarm as ‘Israeli strikes’ hit staff residence in Gaza

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised the alarm over a series of attacks on its staff residence in Gaza.

In a statement on Monday, the organisation alleged that Israeli airstrikes hit the facility three times in one day, endangering the lives of its personnel and their families.

The WHO said the attacks occurred in Deir al Balah shortly after the Israeli military issued new evacuation orders.

“Staff and their families, including children, were exposed to grave danger and traumatised after airstrikes caused a fire and significant damage,” the statement reads.

“Israeli military entered the premises, forcing women and children to evacuate on foot toward Al-Mawasi amid active conflict. Male staff and family members were handcuffed, stripped, interrogated on the spot, and screened at gunpoint.

“Two WHO staff and two family members were detained. Three were later released, while one staff member remains in detention. Thirty-two people, including women and children, were collected and evacuated to the WHO office in a high-risk mission, once access became possible. The office itself is close to the evacuation zone and active conflict.”

The organisation said that most of its staff housing is now inaccessible, and its main warehouse in Deir al Balah was damaged in another strike that led to explosions and fire inside.

“With the main warehouse nonfunctional and the majority of medical supplies in Gaza depleted, WHO is severely constrained in adequately supporting hospitals, emergency medical teams and health partners, already critically short on medicines, fuel, and equipment,” the statement reads.

“WHO urgently calls on Member States to help ensure a sustained and regular flow of medical supplies into Gaza.

“The geographical coordinates of all WHO premises, including offices, warehouses, and staff housing, are shared with the relevant parties. These facilities are the backbone of WHO’s operations in Gaza and must always be protected, regardless of evacuation or displacement orders.

“WHO calls for the immediate release of the staff member detained today, and the protection of all our staff and their premises.

“We reiterate our call for the active protection of civilians, health care and its premises and for rapid and unimpeded flow of aid, including food, fuel and health supplies, at scale into and across Gaza. WHO also calls for the unconditional release of hostages.

“Any threat to these premises is a threat to the entire humanitarian health response in Gaza.
In line with the UN’s decision, WHO will remain in Deir al Balah, deliver and expand its operations.

“With 88% of Gaza now under evacuation orders or within Israeli-militarised zones, there is no safe place to go.”