TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The World Health Organization (WHO) reported on Monday that the Israeli military detained two of its staff at their homes in Gaza. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated in a release that the attack occurred at the residences of staff in Deir al Balah.
"The Israeli military entered the premises, forcing women and children to evacuate on foot toward Al-Mawasi amid active conflict. Male staff and family members were handcuffed, stripped, interrogated on the spot, and screened at gunpoint," said Tedros, as quoted by Anadolu, adding that two WHO staff and their family members were detained.
Three individuals were later released, but one staff member remained in detention, he added, also mentioning that 32 WHO staff and their families were evacuated to the WHO office once access was available.
"WHO demands the immediate release of the detained staff and protection of all its staff."
WHO stated that the operational presence of the organization in Gaza has been disrupted, and the recent evacuation order has impacted several WHO locations.
Expressing concern regarding the recent evacuation order by Israel in Deir al Balah, Tedros underscored that the order has affected several WHO facilities. This weakened the agency's ability to operate in Gaza and pushed the health system further towards collapse.
"WHO’s main warehouse located in Deir al Balah is within the evacuation zone, and was damaged yesterday when an attack caused explosions and a fire inside," he said.
"WHO urgently calls on Member States to help ensure a sustained and regular flow of medical supplies into Gaza," he stressed, emphasizing that compromising WHO operations will cripple the entire health response in Gaza.
"A ceasefire is not just necessary, it is overdue," Tedros emphasized.
On Monday, the foreign ministers of 25 countries, with majority being European, signed a statement calling for an immediate end to the war in Gaza and the full resumption of humanitarian aid shipments to the Palestinian enclave.
Since October 2023, the Israeli military has killed more than 59,000 Palestinian residents, mostly women and children, in Gaza. Relentless bombing has devastated the enclave, nearly paralyzing its health system and creating near-famine conditions.
At least 95 aid seekers have been killed by Israeli forces since Sunday, while another 19 have died due to starvation, according to the Gaza-based Ministry of Health.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed deep concern on Monday morning about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, warning that the last lifeline "keeping people alive is collapsing."
Editor’s Choice: Gazans Send Desperate Messages as Hunger Worsens in Gaza
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Belgian King Slams Israel's Actions in Gaza as 'A Disgrace to Humanity'
2 jam lalu
Belgian King Philippe speaks up for the first time after almost two years of the Israeli genocide in Gaza.
Gazans Send Desperate Messages as Hunger Worsens in Gaza
3 jam lalu
A desperate message from the residents of Gaza due to worsening hunger caused by the humanitarian aid blockade by Israel.
Israel Launches Strikes in Syria Ahead of Bombing in Damascus
18 jam lalu
Israeli air strike on Damascus is part of a systematic military operation that includes more than 200 attacks in various regions of Syria.
Israeli Soldiers Shooting Gaza Children 'Like in a Game', Says British Surgeon
23 jam lalu
Israeli forces has been deliberately shooting children at Gaza aid sites like in a video game, targeting different body parts on specific days.
Hamas Welcomes Hague Group Agreement to Sanction Israel over Gaza Genocide
1 hari lalu
Hamas welcomes the historic international agreement reached in the capital of Colombia, Bogota, to impose sanctions on Israel
UNRWA Calls for Immediate Access to Gaza, Says It Has Food Stockpiled
1 hari lalu
UNRWA calls on Israel to immediately allow entry into Gaza to distribute live-saving aid.
A 35-Day-Old Baby Dies of Starvation as Israel Massacres 116 Palestinians in Gaza
2 hari lalu
A Palestinian baby has died of starvation in Gaza while Israel continues to block aid supplies and shoot people forced to seek food.
Hamas: Israel Rejects Deal to Release All Prisoners in Gaza
2 hari lalu
President Trump claims that 10 more prisoners are to be released from Gaza by Hamas, according to a statement made during a dinner with parliament members at the White House.
Erdogan and Putin Discuss Syria: Israeli Strikes Threaten Regional Stability
2 hari lalu
The Turkish Presidency stated that during the call, Erdogan and Putin discussed the escalating tensions in Syria's Suwayda Province.
Mossad Claims Israel Lobbied Indonesia and Others to Accommodate Gazans
2 hari lalu
The Israeli intelligence agency Mossad reportedly visited Washington this week to request U.S. assistance in the relocation of Palestinian people.
:strip_icc():format(jpeg)/kly-media-production/medias/5085399/original/084283500_1736394404-caption-buka-puasa-bersama.jpg)
:strip_icc():format(jpeg)/kly-media-production/medias/4990580/original/032364700_1730716355-cara-sholat-hajat.jpg)
:strip_icc():format(jpeg)/kly-media-production/medias/5084907/original/011382400_1736361137-MBG_Kudus.jpg)
