WHO Condemns Attacks on Gaza Health Operations, Warns of Collapsing System
The World Health Institution (WHO) has issued a stark condemnation of recent attacks targeting its facilities and personnel in Deir al-Balah, Gaza, escalating concerns over the viability of healthcare delivery amidst intensifying conflict. These incidents, occurring following new evacuation orders issued by Israeli military forces, represent a critical blow to the already fragile health system serving over two million people.
Today, the WHO staff residence in Deir al-Balah was directly attacked on three separate occasions.WHO personnel and their families, including children, endured harrowing experiences as airstrikes ignited fires and caused considerable damage. disturbingly, Israeli military personnel subsequently entered the premises, compelling women and children to evacuate on foot towards Al-Mawasi while active fighting continued. Male staff and family members were subjected to forceful interrogation, handcuffed, stripped, and screened at gunpoint. Currently, two WHO staff members and two family members remain in detention, with three having been released. A high-risk evacuation operation successfully relocated 32 individuals, including women and children, to the WHO office - a location itself increasingly threatened by proximity to the conflict zone.
The WHO unequivocally demands the immediate and unconditional release of the detained staff member and guarantees for the continuous protection of all its personnel.
These attacks are not isolated events. The WHO’s primary warehouse in Deir al-Balah, vital for the storage and distribution of essential medical supplies, sustained significant damage yesterday due to explosions and fire. The subsequent looting of the warehouse by desperate civilians underscores the dire need for sustained aid access. With the warehouse now largely nonfunctional and existing medical supplies critically depleted, the WHO’s capacity to support hospitals, emergency medical teams, and health partners is severely compromised. This shortage encompasses essential medicines, fuel, and critical equipment. The WHO is urgently appealing to Member States for a consistent and robust flow of medical supplies into Gaza.
The WHO has consistently shared the geographical coordinates of all its facilities – including offices, warehouses, and staff housing – with all relevant parties. These locations are fundamental to the organization’s operational capacity within Gaza and must be shielded from harm, irrespective of evacuation or displacement directives. any threat to these premises directly jeopardizes the entire humanitarian health response.
despite the escalating risks, the WHO, in alignment with the broader united Nations (UN) strategy, remains committed to maintaining its presence in Deir al-Balah and expanding its operations. However, the reality on the ground is increasingly grim.With approximately 88% of Gaza now subject to evacuation orders or encompassed within Israeli-militarized zones, safe havens are virtually nonexistent.
The WHO expresses profound concern over the perilous conditions faced by humanitarian workers and healthcare professionals operating in Gaza. Repeated violations of established norms and the relentless shrinking of operational space are pushing humanitarian efforts to the brink.
The WHO reiterates its urgent calls for:
The immediate release of the detained WHO staff member.
The unwavering protection of all WHO personnel and facilities.
The active protection of civilians, healthcare facilities, and personnel.
Rapid, unimpeded, and scaled-up access for humanitarian aid – including food, fuel, and essential health supplies – throughout Gaza.
* The unconditional release of all hostages.
The situation in gaza is rapidly deteriorating, with lives hanging in the balance and the health system teetering on the verge of complete collapse. A ceasefire is no longer simply desirable; it is an urgent and overdue necessity to prevent further loss of life and irreversible damage to the region’s health infrastructure.