WHO: Israeli Strikes Cripple Lifesaving Work in Gaza

The World Health Organization (WHO) has sharply criticized the Israeli military for attacks on its staff housing and central warehouse in Gaza, stating that its ability to maintain operations in the war-torn region has been severely compromised.

In a statement issued Monday night, the UN health agency said its facility in the city of Deir al-Balah, housing staff members and their families, was struck three times.

According to the WHO, the strikes caused a fire and significant damage, endangering the lives of those sheltering inside, including children.

The building was reportedly stormed by Israeli forces, who forced women and children to flee on foot toward the al-Mawasi area amid ongoing hostilities.

Male staff and family members were allegedly handcuffed, stripped, interrogated, and searched at gunpoint.

Two WHO employees and two relatives were detained; three have since been released, but one staff member remains in custody.

The WHO has demanded the immediate release of the detained staffer and called for the protection of all humanitarian workers still in the area.

Remaining staff and their families have been relocated to another WHO office in Deir al-Balah.

The organization also reported that its main medical warehouse in the city was destroyed in a separate attack, which triggered explosions and a fire.

The site was later looted by desperate civilians, further crippling the agency’s ability to deliver aid.

While WHO stopped short of directly blaming Israeli forces, it noted that the destruction of health facilities was becoming “systematic.”

“This latest assault severely undermines our operations in Gaza,” the WHO said, warning that the region’s collapsing healthcare system is now on the brink of total failure.

“Our operational presence is now compromised, pushing survival further out of reach for over two million people.”

The Israeli military has not publicly responded to the WHO’s allegations or to broader reports about its recent offensive in central Gaza.

However, Israeli media outlet Haaretz reported that the military is working to carve a corridor through Deir al-Balah, effectively cutting off movement between central Gaza refugee camps and southern areas like al-Mawasi, where civilians are being instructed to flee.

Sunday marked the start of Israel’s first major ground assault in Deir al-Balah since the conflict with Hamas escalated nearly two years ago.

The offensive has forced tens of thousands of Palestinians to flee their homes under orders to evacuate six city blocks.

The Israeli military warned of an operation “with great force to destroy the enemy’s capabilities and terrorist infrastructure.”

Up to 80,000 residents in the affected area were told to relocate southward.

Despite evacuation orders, UN humanitarian staff remain active in Deir al-Balah, sheltering across dozens of buildings whose coordinates have been shared with Israeli authorities.

The UN has emphasized that these facilities and workers must be protected under international law.

As fighting intensifies, humanitarian agencies are reporting alarming signs of starvation and malnutrition throughout Gaza.

According to the UN, clinics are overwhelmed with severely undernourished patients.

The Hamas-run health ministry said at least 19 people have died from malnutrition since Saturday alone.

Approximately 87.8% of Gaza is now either under evacuation orders or located in militarized zones controlled by Israel, leaving the region’s 2.1 million residents crammed into roughly 46 square kilometers with virtually no access to basic services.

Israeli officials have previously delayed a major ground operation in Deir al-Balah due to the suspected presence of Israeli hostages held by Hamas in the area.

Of the 50 remaining hostages, at least 20 are believed to be alive.

Families of the captives have voiced fears that further military escalation could endanger their loved ones.

Israel’s military campaign in Gaza began in response to a Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023, which killed around 1,200 people and resulted in 251 hostages being taken.

Since then, Gaza’s health ministry reports that over 59,000 people have been killed in the territory.

As international concern grows, the WHO and other aid organizations are urging for better protection of humanitarian infrastructure and a cease in hostilities that continue to worsen one of the world’s most dire humanitarian crises.

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