World Health Organization has condemned in the strongest terms the attacks on a building housing its staff in Deir al Balah in Gaza, the mistreatment of those sheltering there, and the destruction of its main warehouse.
Following intensified hostilities in Deir al Balah after the latest evacuation order issued by Israeli military, the WHO staff residence was attacked three times on Monday according to statement released by the International agency.
WHO said Staff and their families, including children, were exposed to grave danger and traumatized after airstrikes caused a fire and significant damage.
It added that two of its staff and two family members were detained. “Three were later released, while one staff member remains in detention.
“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.
The latest evacuation order has affected several WHO premises. As the United Nations’s (UN) lead health agency, WHO’s operational presence in Gaza is now compromised, crippling efforts to sustain a collapsing health system and pushing survival further out of reach for more than two million people.
Most of the UN agency staff housing is now inaccessible. Last night, due to intensified hostilities, 43 staff and their families were already relocated from several staff residences to the WHO office, under darkness and at significant risk.
WHO’s main warehouse located in Deir al Balah is within the evacuation zone, and was damaged yesterday after an attack caused explosions and fire inside – part of a pattern of systematic destruction of health facilities. It was later looted by desperate crowds.
With the main warehouse nonfunctional and the majority of medical supplies in Gaza depleted, WHO pointed out that it’s is severely constrained in adequately supporting hospitals, emergency medical teams and health partners, already critically short on medicines, fuel, and equipment.
While urgently called on Member States to help ensure a sustained and regular flow of medical supplies into Gaza, the Agency said geographical coordinates of all its premises, including offices, warehouses, and staff housing, are shared with the relevant parties.
“These facilities are the backbone of WHO’s operations in Gaza and must always be protected, regardless of evacuation or displacement orders. Any threat to these premises is a threat to the entire humanitarian health response in Gaza.
WHO appalled by the dangerous conditions under which humanitarians and health workers are forced to operate. As the security situation and access continue to deteriorate, red lines are repeatedly crossed, and humanitarian operations pushed into an ever-shrinking space to respond.
WHO also called for the immediate release of the WHO staff member detained today, and the protection of all our staff and its premises.
“We reiterate our call for the active protection of civilians, health care and its premises and for rapid and unimpeded flow of aid, including food, fuel and health supplies, at scale into and across Gaza.
WHO also appealed for the unconditional release of hostages. “Life in Gaza is being relentlessly squeezed, and the chance to prevent loss of lives and reverse immense damage to the health system slips further out of reach each day. A ceasefire is not just necessary, it is overdue”.