The World Well being Group mentioned the Israeli army attacked its workers residence and major warehouse within the central Gazan metropolis of Deir al-Balah on Monday, endangering humanitarian employees and compromising aid operations within the besieged Palestinian territory.
The UN company mentioned its workers lodging was struck thrice, inflicting a hearth and vital harm.
“Israeli army entered the premises, forcing ladies and youngsters to evacuate on foot in direction of Al-Mawasi amid lively battle. Male workers and members of the family have been handcuffed, stripped, interrogated on the spot, and screened at gunpoint,” WHO mentioned.
Two company personnel and two members of the family have been detained throughout the raid. In keeping with WHO chief Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, three have been later launched whereas one workers member remained in Israeli custody.
“WHO calls for the instant launch of the detained workers and safety of all its workers,” Dr Tedros mentioned.
A spokesperson for the company later mentioned the WHO doesn’t know the explanations behind the detention of its workers by the Israeli authorities, and once more urged for his or her launch.
The UN company mentioned its major warehouse in Deir al-Balah, positioned inside an Israeli-declared evacuation zone, was broken in a separate strike on Sunday, triggering explosions and a hearth inside the ability.
The Israeli army was nonetheless to answer these allegations by WHO.
Males journey in a tricycle cart in Deir al-Balah in central Gaza whereas smoke billows from Israeli bombardment on 21 July 2025 (AFP through Getty)
Males journey in a tricycle cart in Deir al-Balah in central Gaza whereas smoke billows from Israeli bombardment on 21 July 2025 (AFP through Getty)
The UN company vowed to proceed and develop its operations within the space, a important centre of humanitarian support distribution throughout greater than 21 months of struggle.
Deir al-Balah is densely full of Palestinians displaced by Israeli bombardment and evacuation orders.
Israeli tanks entered the town’s southern and japanese neighbourhoods on Monday for the primary time for the reason that battle started.
Tank shelling within the metropolis hit properties and mosques, killing a minimum of three folks and injuring a number of extra, in accordance with medics. Gunfire was reportedly heard all through the day and hundreds of individuals fled on foot or utilizing donkey carts, eyewitnesses mentioned.
Greater than 25 nations, together with the UK, France, Canada, Japan and Australia, issued a joint assertion on Monday urging a direct finish to the struggle. The signatories criticised Israel’s restriction of support, describing it as “harmful” and a violation of worldwide humanitarian regulation.
“The Israeli authorities’s denial of important humanitarian help to the civilian inhabitants is unacceptable,” they mentioned. “Israel should adjust to its obligations underneath worldwide humanitarian regulation.”
Israel’s international ministry rejected the assertion, saying it was “disconnected from actuality and sends the incorrect message to Hamas”.
US ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, additionally rejected the assertion from lots of Washington’s closest allies, denouncing it as “disgusting” in a submit on X and saying they need to as a substitute stress the “savages of Hamas”.
The broader Israeli assault throughout Gaza left a minimum of 130 Palestinians useless and over 1,000 wounded over the previous 24 hours, Gaza’s Hamas-run well being ministry mentioned on Monday.
The cumulative loss of life toll from Israel’s struggle on the besieged territory exceeded 59,000, with widespread destruction of infrastructure and displacement of individuals.
Israel launched a floor and air assault on Gaza after practically 1,200 civilians and troopers have been killed and 251 taken hostage throughout a Hamas assault on 7 October 2023.
Smoke and flames rise from a residential constructing hit by an Israeli strike in Gaza on 21 July 2025 (Reuters)
Smoke and flames rise from a residential constructing hit by an Israeli strike in Gaza on 21 July 2025 (Reuters)
The UN’s high humanitarian officers have raised the alarm over a collapsing healthcare system and rising malnutrition in Gaza as a result of Israeli struggle and siege, notably amongst youngsters.
WHO mentioned Gaza’s well being sector was “on its knees” amid important shortages of gasoline, medicines, and medical gear.
UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric confirmed two UN guesthouses have been additionally hit within the newest Israeli strikes, regardless of all events being knowledgeable of their protected standing.
“These areas – as with all civilian websites – have to be protected, no matter evacuation orders,” he mentioned.
UN secretary common António Guterres expressed deep concern over what he referred to as an accelerating breakdown of humanitarian situations. “The final lifelines retaining folks alive are collapsing,” he mentioned, in accordance with the spokesman.
The top of the UN humanitarian workplace in Gaza, Jonathan Whittall, who Israel mentioned wouldn’t have his visa renewed, described the state of affairs as “situations of loss of life”, calling the struggling preventable and “intentional”.
“Israel has the duty to permit and facilitate by all of the means at its disposal the humanitarian aid supplied by the United Nations and by different humanitarian organizations,” he mentioned.
