The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that the Israeli military attacked its staff residence and main warehouse in Deir al-Balah, compromising its operations in Gaza. The UN agency stated that the WHO staff residence was targeted three times, causing a fire and extensive damage, and putting staff and their families at risk.
On Monday, Israeli tanks entered southern and eastern areas of Deir al-Balah for the first time, where Israeli sources believe hostages may be held. Tank shelling in the area resulted in the deaths of at least three Palestinians and injuries to several others, according to local medical sources.
The WHO also disclosed that Israeli military personnel entered the premises, forcing women and children to evacuate on foot. Male staff members and family members were handcuffed, stripped, interrogated, and screened at gunpoint. Two WHO staff members and two family members were detained, with one staff member remaining in detention.
The WHO’s director general, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, demanded the immediate release of the detained staff and protection for all its employees. The organization also emphasized that its main warehouse, located within an evacuation zone, was damaged by an attack.
Deir al-Balah is currently hosting a large number of Palestinians displaced by the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Despite the attacks, the WHO stated its intention to remain in Deir al-Balah and expand operations.
Additionally, the UK and over 20 other countries called for an immediate end to the war in Gaza and criticized Israel’s aid delivery model, following the deaths of hundreds of Palestinians near food distribution sites. The WHO described the health sector in Gaza as being severely challenged due to fuel, medical supplies shortages, and frequent mass casualty influxes.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jul/21/who-says-residence-and-main-warehouse-in-gaza-hit-by-israeli-forces
