The World Health Organization (WHO) has condemned, Tuesday, the Israeli army’s direct attacks on its staff residence and medical warehouse in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza. The strikes caused extensive damage, endangered humanitarian personnel, and further paralyzed the region’s collapsing healthcare system.
In a sharply worded statement, WHO reported that its staff housing was hit three times, sparking fires and inflicting serious structural damage.
Following the bombardment, Israeli troops invaded the premises, compelling women and children to evacuate on foot amid ongoing clashes. Male staff members and their relatives were detained, stripped, and interrogated at gunpoint.
“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 and two family members were detained. Three were later released, while one staff member remains in detention,” WHO said.
WHO operations compromised following attacks on warehouse and facility sheltering staff and families in Gaza
WHO condemns in the strongest terms the attacks on a building housing WHO staff in Deir al Balah, in the middle area of Gaza, the mistreatment of those sheltering there,… pic.twitter.com/CWe68tNiX9
— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) July 21, 2025
“Thirty-two people, including women and children, were collected and evacuated to the WHO office in a high-risk mission, once access became possible. The office itself is close to the evacuation zone and active conflict. WHO demands continuous protection of its staff and the immediate release of the remaining detained staff member,” it added.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus confirmed that two staff members and two family members were taken into custody.
Three were later released, while one remains detained. He called for the immediate release of the remaining staff members and demanded full protection for WHO personnel working in Gaza, in line with international humanitarian law.
The attacks came shortly after Israeli evacuation orders were issued for large areas of Deir al-Balah, directly impacting WHO’s main medical warehouse. That facility was bombed, triggering explosions and fires that severely damaged its contents and disrupted emergency support operations.
The organization also condemned Israeli airstrikes on densely populated neighborhoods sheltering displaced families. Residential buildings and mosques were among the targets, resulting in civilian casualties and mass displacement toward areas such as Abu Holi and the eastern and western edges of al-Baraka.
Dr. Tedros warned that Gaza’s health system is nearing total collapse due to critical shortages of fuel and medical supplies. He stressed that a ceasefire is no longer a political demand but a humanitarian necessity to prevent further loss of life.
He urged UN member states to take immediate action to ensure the uninterrupted flow of medical and humanitarian aid into Gaza and to guarantee the safety of health workers and facilities.
On Tuesday, Day 655 of the ongoing genocide in Gaza, Israeli occupation forces escalated attacks across the Strip, targeting displaced civilians and people in search of food. The bombings left at least 31 dead and dozens wounded. Medical sources confirmed the deaths of four Palestinians, including two newborns and a child, due to severe malnutrition.
