Attacks on WHO Facilities in Deir al-Balah
The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that its staff residence and main warehouse in the Gazan city of Deir al-Balah were attacked by the Israeli military on Monday. This incident has significantly disrupted the organization’s operations in the region, raising serious concerns about the safety of its personnel and the broader humanitarian situation.
According to the United Nations agency, the WHO staff residence was hit three times, with airstrikes leading to a fire and extensive damage. The attacks have put the lives of staff members and their families, including children, at risk. The situation has become increasingly dire as the conflict continues to escalate in the area.
Military Actions in Deir al-Balah
Israeli tanks entered southern and eastern districts of Deir al-Balah for the first time on Monday. According to Israeli sources, the military believes hostages may be held in this area. The tank shelling in the region resulted in the destruction of houses and mosques, with local medics reporting at least three Palestinian deaths and several injuries.
Tolong support kita ya,
Cukup klik ini aja: https://indonesiacrowd.com/support-bonus/
The WHO provided a detailed account of the events, stating that the 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 members and two family members were detained, according to a post on X. Three of them were later released, while one staff member remained in detention.
Demands for Immediate Release
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized the need for the immediate release of the detained staff and the protection of all WHO personnel. The organization has called for an end to the violence and for the safety of its workers in the region.
Palestinians have been fleeing Deir al-Balah in central Gaza following evacuation orders issued by the Israeli military. The city is heavily populated with Palestinians displaced during more than 21 months of war in Gaza. Hundreds of people have moved west or south after Israel issued evacuation orders, claiming it seeks to destroy infrastructure and capabilities of the militant group Hamas.
Damage to WHO Warehouse
The WHO’s main warehouse, located within an evacuation zone, was damaged on Sunday due to an attack that triggered explosions and a fire inside. Despite the attacks, the WHO has stated its commitment to remaining in Deir al-Balah and expanding its operations in the region.
International Response
Britain and over 20 other countries have called for an immediate end to the war in Gaza and criticized the Israeli government’s aid delivery model. This comes after hundreds of Palestinians were killed near sites distributing food. The international community is increasingly concerned about the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the region.
Ongoing Conflict and Humanitarian Crisis
The war began when Hamas-led militants stormed into Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages back to Gaza, according to Israeli tallies. The Israeli military campaign against Hamas in Gaza has since resulted in over 59,000 Palestinian deaths, according to health officials. Almost the entire population has been displaced, and the humanitarian crisis continues to worsen.
The World Health Organization describes the health sector in Gaza as being “on its knees,” with shortages of fuel, medical supplies, and frequent mass casualty influxes. The situation remains critical, with ongoing attacks and limited resources making it increasingly difficult to provide essential healthcare services to the affected population.
