WHO chief rejects Israeli order to evacuate Gaza City

World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus says his agency and its partners will not leave Gaza City despite evacuation orders issued by the Israeli military.

“WHO is appalled by the latest evacuation order, demanding that one million people move from Gaza City to a so-called ‘humanitarian zone’ in the south designated by Israel,” Tedros said in a statement.

He stressed that the area lacks the space and resources to cope: “The zone has neither the size nor scale of services to support those already there, let alone new arrivals.”

“Almost half the functional hospitals are in Gaza City,” he said and reassuring civilians that WHO will remain in Gaza City.

Tedros urged the international community to act, calling for an immediate ceasefire and guarantees for the safety of medical facilities, aid workers and civilians across the besieged territory.