The World Health Organization (WHO) has condemned Israeli military actions in central Gaza after its facilities and staff were targeted during a major offensive in Deir al-Balah, which has displaced tens of thousands of civilians and pushed the humanitarian system near collapse. In a statement released Monday night, WHO said its residential compound came under direct attack three times. Explosions ignited fires, and personnel sheltering inside were forced to flee on foot during active conflict. Women and children were reportedly escorted out while male staff members were detained.
Two WHO staff and two family members were taken by Israeli forces, the agency reported. Three were released. One staff member remains in custody. The same day, WHO’s primary warehouse in Deir al-Balah was struck and severely damaged in an explosion. The facility was later looted by crowds desperate for supplies.
The agency called the strikes part of “a pattern of systematic destruction” of medical infrastructure and warned that its operations in Gaza are now severely compromised.
Efforts to maintain health services are breaking down, WHO said, pushing survival further out of reach for more than two million people.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said troops had come under fire in the area and returned fire. The army stated it detained “individuals suspected of terrorism,” most of whom were released after questioning, in coordination with international organizations.
The Israeli military had ordered the immediate evacuation of six neighborhoods in southern Deir al-Balah on Sunday, warning of intense operations targeting “terrorist infrastructure.” An estimated 50,000 to 80,000 people were told to move toward al-Mawasi.
Despite the warning, the UN said staff would remain at marked humanitarian locations.
Israel has not commented directly on the attacks on WHO sites. However, it said it remains in contact with aid agencies and emphasized that detainees are handled according to international law.
Fighting has intensified in Deir al-Balah. Palestinian medical sources said at least five people were killed in the city between Monday and Tuesday. In northern Gaza, shelling struck tents at al-Shati refugee camp, killing 14 people and injuring 25, according to local hospital staff.
Survivors described the carnage. Raed Bakr said a massive blast destroyed the tent where he and his three children were staying. “I felt like I was in a nightmare. Fire, dust, smoke, and body parts filled the air. The children were screaming.”
According to the UN, nearly 88% of Gaza is now under Israeli evacuation orders or considered a military zone. Gaza’s population of over 2 million has been forced into roughly 46 square kilometers of land where basic services are gone.
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