The World Health Organization (WHO) has condemned what it termed “deliberate attacks” on its staff residence and main warehouse in Deir al Balah, Gaza, amid intensifying hostilities and worsening humanitarian conditions.

In a detailed statement, WHO reported that its staff housing was attacked three times, exposing personnel and their families, including children, to grave danger. ” Staff and their children were traumatised after airstrikes caused a fire and significant damage,” the agency stated.

According to WHO, Israeli forces entered the compound forcibly evacuating women and children on foot towards Al-Mawasi, despite active conflict in the area. Male and relatives were reportedly “handcuffed, stripped, and interrogated at gunpoint.” It is also reported that two WHO staff members and two of their family members were detained while three have since been released; one staff member remains in detention.

“We call for the immediate release of our staff members and we demand the protection of all humanitarian personnel and premises,” the statement read.

The assault follows a recent evacuation order by the Israeli military that has impacted several WHO facilities, with its main warehouse in Deir al Balah, which housed critical medical supplies damaged after an explosion and fire and later looted by desperate civilians. ” This is part of a pattern of systematic destruction of health facilities,” WHO lamented.

With most of the organization’s staff housing now inaccessible and its warehouse nonfunctional, the agency warns that its ability to support hospitals, emergency teams, and health partners is severely constrained. ” The majority of medical supplies in Gaza are depleted,” WHO noted, calling on Member States to urgently facilitate a continuous supply of essential health materials into the region.

“The geographical coordinates of all WHO premises, including offices, warehouses, and staff housing, are shared with the relevant parties,” it emphasized, reiterating that these sites remain protected.

WHO further confirmed that it will maintain its presence in Deir al Balah, despite the deteriorating situation. ” With 88% of Gaza now under evacuation orders or within Israeli-militarized zones, there is no safe place to go,” the agency warned.

The agency concluded by declaring, “A ceasefire is not just necessary, it is overdue.”