IDF 'handcuffed, stripped and interrogated' aid workers in Gaza, World Health Organisation claims
The UN agency has accused the IDF of attacking a building in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza, in which its staff and their families were sheltering.
Male staff and family members were reportedly handcuffed, stripped and interrogated at gunpoint, while women and children were forced to evacuate.
Two WHO staff and two family members were reportedly detained, with one staff remaining in custody.
Israeli troops entered the central Gazan city on Monday, for the first time in the conflict.
Deir al-Balah had previously been considered one of the less hard-hit parts of the territory, and had been a key hub for humanitarian efforts.
In a statement, WHO said its main warehouse in the city had been damaged in what it called a "pattern of systematic destruction of health facilities," before being later looted by "desperate crowds."
It added: "WHO condemns in the strongest terms the attacks on a building housing WHO staff in Deir al Balah in Gaza, the mistreatment of those sheltering there, and the destruction of its main warehouse.
"Staff and their families, including children, were exposed to grave danger and traumatized after airstrikes caused a fire and significant damage.
"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.
"With the main warehouse nonfunctional and the majority of medical supplies in Gaza depleted, WHO is severely constrained in adequately supporting hospitals, emergency medical teams and health partners, already critically short on medicines, fuel, and equipment.
"WHO urgently calls on Member States to help ensure a sustained and regular flow of medical supplies into Gaza."
Responding to the claims, the IDF confirmed it had detained several individuals it suspected of "involvement in terrorism", but maintains it had "continuous and consistent contact" with international organisations prior to entering Deir al-Balah.
In response to the latest strikes in Gaza, the United Kingdom, France and 23 other Western-aligned countries issued a statement on Monday calling for the war to end and criticising Israel's "drip feeding" of humanitarian aid into Gaza.
88% of Gaza now under evacuation orders or within Israeli-militarized zones as it seeks to pressure Hamas to release more hostages.
Gaza health officials said at least 18 people, including three women and five children, were killed in Israeli strikes on Sunday night and into Monday.
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