By Bunmi Yekini
The World Health Organization (WHO) has strongly condemned multiple attacks on its staff residence and warehouse in Deir al Balah, Gaza, following intensified hostilities and evacuation orders by the Israeli military. The organization is calling for the immediate release of one of its detained staff members and urgent protection for its personnel and humanitarian operations.
In a statement issued Monday, WHO described a harrowing series of events in which its staff building was hit three times, placing workers and their families, including children, in grave danger. Airstrikes sparked fires and caused significant damage to the facility.
“WHO staff and their families were traumatized as airstrikes hit near their shelter,” the organization stated. “The Israeli military then entered the premises, forcing women and children to flee on foot through an active conflict zone, while male staff and family members were handcuffed, stripped, and interrogated at gunpoint.”
Two WHO staff members and two family members were detained. While three have since been released, one WHO staff member remains in Israeli custody. A total of 32 people were eventually evacuated to the WHO office in a high-risk operation once access became possible. That office is also located near an active conflict area.
“WHO demands the immediate release of the detained staff member and continuous protection for all personnel operating in Gaza,” the statement said.
In a further blow to humanitarian efforts, WHO’s main warehouse in Deir al Balah, critical for storing medical supplies, was also attacked, catching fire and later looted amid chaos. The damage has severely hampered WHO’s ability to support Gaza’s fragile health system, which is already on the verge of collapse.
“The destruction of our main warehouse and the loss of critical supplies is part of a broader pattern of systematic attacks on health infrastructure,” WHO said. “Our capacity to support hospitals and emergency medical teams is now severely constrained.”
The agency stressed that the geographical coordinates of all WHO facilities, including offices, warehouses, and residences, are routinely shared with all relevant parties, yet attacks persist.
“Any threat to these premises is a threat to the entire humanitarian health response in Gaza,” WHO emphasized.
Currently, 88% of Gaza is under evacuation orders or lies within Israeli-militarized zones, leaving civilians and aid workers with virtually no safe space.
“Life in Gaza is being relentlessly squeezed,” the WHO declared. “The chance to prevent further loss of life and reverse the immense damage to the health system is slipping away. A ceasefire is not just necessary, it is overdue.”
The organization has reiterated its calls for:
- The protection of civilians and humanitarian workers
- The release of all hostages
- A sustained and regular flow of medical supplies, food, and fuel
- An immediate ceasefire to allow lifesaving humanitarian response
Despite the deteriorating conditions, WHO says it will continue to operate in Deir al Balah and expand its efforts as much as possible under current constraints.