IDF confirms it entered WHO’s Deir al-Balah facility, detained several staff suspected of terror

The IDF confirms that troops entered a building used to house World Health Organization personnel in central Gaza’s Deir al-Balah yesterday and says they detained several staff suspected of terror.

WHO also claims that the facility, along with a warehouse, was damaged by Israeli strikes.

On Sunday, the Israel Defense Forces issued an evacuation warning for several zones in Deir al-Balah, ahead of a new ground offensive in the area.

“Prior to the start of IDF activities in the area, the IDF warned the civilian population to evacuate from the area for their safety, and was in contact with the international organizations working in the area,” the military says.

“We emphasize that the IDF maintains continuous and consistent contact with the international organizations, and throughout the war, the IDF has facilitated the safe evacuations of their personnel from evacuated areas, in coordination with the troops and in accordance with operational requirements,” the statement continues.

“These efforts are carried out in coordination in order to facilitate the relocation of critical facilities to alternate locations based on the needs of the organizations,” the IDF says.

According to the military, the incident at the WHO facility yesterday began after troops identified shooting toward them in Deir al-Balah and returned fire. It is unclear where the shooting came from, and if the gunfire in response caused the reported damage at the WHO facility.

The IDF says that as part of the offensive, troops detained “several individuals suspected of involvement in terror,” after WHO reported that staff at the facility were interrogated.

“After questioning on the ground, the majority were released and evacuated from the area in coordination with the international organizations,” the IDF says, adding that “the suspects are treated in accordance with international law.”

WHO, in a statement, says that 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. Two WHO staff and two family members were detained. Three were later released, while one staff member remains in detention.”

The IDF responds to the claims, saying that “at times during field questioning, it is necessary for individuals suspected of terrorist activity to temporarily remove parts of their clothing in order to ensure that they are not concealing explosive belts or other weapons.”

“The IDF will not refrain from operating in areas where terrorist activity threatens the security of the State of Israel,” the military adds.

A military source says that the IDF is aware that damage was caused to the WHO residence facility but stresses that it is unaware of any injuries among the staff.

WHO also claims that its main warehouse in the area was damaged by Israeli strikes. The IDF has not commented on those claims.