The World Health Organization said the Israeli military attacked the residences and main warehouses of the central Gaza city of Deir Al-Balah on Monday, endangering humanitarian workers and undermining relief operations in the surrounded Palestinian territory.
The United Nations agency said its staff accommodation was attacked three times, causing fires and huge losses.
“The Israeli military entered the venue, forcing women and children to evacuate Al-Mawasi on foot in an active conflict. Male employees and families were handcuffed, deprived, interrogated on the spot and screened at the muzzle,” he said.
During the raid, two agency personnel and two family members were detained. According to him, his chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus was later released while a staff member remained in Israeli custody.
“Who requests that the detained employees be released immediately and all employees are protected,” Dr. Tedros said.
The United Nations agency said its main warehouse in Deir al-Balah in the Israeli evacuation area was damaged during a strike on Sunday, triggering an explosion and a fire inside the facility.
The Israeli military is still passing on who responds to these allegations.
Man rides in a tricycle in Deir Al-Balah in the center of Gaza, while smoke from Israel bombing rolls on July 21, 2025 (AFP via Getty)
Man rides in a tricycle in Deir Al-Balah in the center of Gaza, while smoke from Israel bombing rolls on July 21, 2025 (AFP via Getty)
UN agencies have vowed to continue and expand their operations in the region, a key hub for the war’s allocation of humanitarian aid for more than 21 months.
Deir al-Balah is densely packed with Israeli bombing and evacuation displaced Palestinians.
Israeli tanks entered the city’s southern and eastern communities for the first time Monday since the conflict began.
Tank shelling in the city hit houses and mosques, killing at least three people and causing more damage, according to medical staff. Witnesses said gunfire was reportedly heard throughout the day, and thousands of people were walking or using donkey carts.
More than 25 countries, including the United Kingdom, France, Canada, Japan and Australia, issued a joint statement on Monday urging an immediate end to the war. The signatories criticized Israel’s restrictions on aid, describing it as “dangerous” and a violation of international humanitarian law.
“The Israeli government denies that basic humanitarian assistance to civilians is unacceptable,” they said. “Israel must comply with obligations under international humanitarian law.”
Israel’s foreign ministry rejected the claim, saying it was “out of touch with reality and conveyed a wrong message to Hamas.”
U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee also rejected statements from many of Washington’s closest allies, condemning it “disgusting” in an article on X and saying they should put pressure on “the barbarians of Hamas.”
Hamas, Gaza – The Health Ministry said on Monday that over the past 24 hours, the wider Israeli attacks across Gaza killed at least 130 Palestinians and injured more than 1,000 people.
The cumulative death toll from Israel’s war in besieged areas exceeds 59,000, with people widely destroying infrastructure and displaced people.
Israel killed nearly 1,200 civilians and soldiers in the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack, launching ground and air attacks on Gaza.
A smoke and flame rose in Gaza strike on Israeli strike on July 21, 2025 (Reuters)
A smoke and flame rose in Gaza strike on Israeli strike on July 21, 2025 (Reuters)
The highest humanitarian officials in the United Nations have raised alarms about the collapse of the health system in Gaza and the increase in malnutrition in Gaza, especially among children, due to the Israeli war and siege.
He said Gaza’s health sector “bends” amid severe shortage of fuel, drugs and medical equipment.
UN spokesman Stéphane Dujarric confirmed that the latest Israeli strike was also met with the latest Israeli strike, despite all parties being informed of their protected identities.
“As with all civilian sites, these sites must be protected regardless of evacuation orders,” he said.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed deep concern over his alleged accelerated collapse of humanitarian conditions. “The last life that lives people are shattering,” the spokesman said.
Jonathan Whittall, head of the UN Humanitarian Office who said it would not renew his visa, described the situation as a “condition of death”, saying suffering was preventable and “intentional.”
“Israel has an obligation to allow and promote humanitarian relief provided by the United Nations and other humanitarian organizations,” he said.
