WHO condemns Israeli attacks on facilities in central Gaza

The World Health Organization (WHO) has condemned the Israeli attacks on its facilities in central Gaza. According to the UN agency, Israeli forces attacked a building in Deir al-Balah that housed WHO staff and their families. The WHO stated that the attack on this civilian structure is a violation of international humanitarian law, which requires parties to a conflict to distinguish between civilian and military objects and to take all feasible precautions to avoid, or at least minimize, incidental loss of civilian life, injury to civilians, and damage to civilian objects. The agency further emphasized that healthcare facilities and personnel are protected under international law and should never be targeted. The WHO called on all parties to the conflict to respect and protect healthcare workers and infrastructure, which are essential for providing vital medical services to the population in Gaza.