International-News

WHO facilities in Gaza attacked three times: staff handcuffed and interrogated

The organisation denounces the Israeli army’s raid on its headquarters in Deir al-Balah and the damage caused to its main warehouse

The World Health Organisation’s facilities in Deir al-Balah, in the Gaza Strip, were attacked three times today. This was reported by WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who denounced on X that the agency’s main warehouse had also been hit.

According to reports, the Israeli army entered the WHO staff residence, forcing women and children to evacuate on foot to Al-Mawasi, in the midst of the conflict. Male staff and family members present were reportedly handcuffed, stripped, interrogated and subjected to checks with firearms. Two staff members and two family members were arrested: three were released, while one remains in detention.

The Organisation said that, as soon as possible, 32 employees and family members were evacuated and transferred to the WHO office. Ghebreyesus called for the immediate release of the detained employee and the protection of humanitarian personnel.

The Director-General then reported that the evacuation order affected several WHO offices, hampering health operations in Gaza. The main warehouse was damaged by an attack that caused explosions and a fire, rendering it unusable. With medical supplies now almost exhausted, the WHO is finding it extremely difficult to support hospitals and health teams already short of vital resources.

Ghebreyesus finally made an urgent appeal to Member States to ensure the continued flow of medical supplies to Gaza, stressing that “a ceasefire is not only necessary, it is now expected”.

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