WHO Condemns Gaza Residence Attack, Vows Expanded Services Amid IDF Operations
WHO Condemns Gaza Residence Attack, Vows Expanded Services Amid IDF Operations
The World Health Organization (WHO) has vehemently condemned recent attacks by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on its staff residence and main warehouse in Deir al Balah, Gaza, even as it pledges to expand critical medical services in the region. WHO officials reported Tuesday, July 22, 2025, that their staff housing was targeted three times, causing significant damage and a fire, while also leading to the destruction of a vital medical supply warehouse.
The attacks, which began on Monday, July 21, 2025, saw Israeli military forces enter WHO staff residences. Women and children were forced to evacuate on foot amidst active conflict, while male staff and family members were reportedly handcuffed, stripped, interrogated at gunpoint, and screened. Four individuals, including two WHO staff members, were detained; three have since been released, but one cleaner/caretaker remains in Israeli custody.
Dr. Rik Peeperkorn, WHO Representative for the Occupied Palestinian Territories, emphasized the organization’s unwavering resolve during a UN virtual press briefing. “This is not a moment to be desperate and to be backing out. This is a moment to reorganize, reflect and see indeed like a plan of how we can expand,” he stated. He reiterated, “We remain on the ground. We stay and deliver. And we will expand our operation.”
The WHO’s main warehouse, which held substantial supplies of essential medicines, including trauma kits, antibiotics, cancer medication, and dialysis supplies, was damaged and subsequently looted by desperate crowds. The organization highlighted that it had shared the precise coordinates of all its premises, including warehouses and staff housing, with relevant parties, making these attacks particularly alarming.
In response to the incidents, the IDF stated it responded to fire in the Deir al Balah area and detained ‘several individuals suspected of involvement in terrorism,’ without explicitly detailing interactions with WHO staff. The IDF also noted its continuous contact and coordination with international organizations, emphasizing that suspects are treated according to international law.
WHO officials expressed their horror at the “dangerous conditions” under which humanitarian and health workers are forced to operate, asserting that “red lines are repeatedly crossed.” The organization has urgently called on member states to increase support and ensure a sustained, unimpeded flow of aid, including food, fuel, and health supplies, into and across Gaza, stressing that any threat to their premises jeopardizes the entire humanitarian health response.
Disclaimer: This content is aggregated from public sources online. Please verify information independently. If you believe your rights have been infringed, contact us for removal.