WHO chief says agency will remain in Gaza City, ‘appalled’ by displacement of population
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the World Health Organization (WHO), said his agency and partner groups will remain in Gaza City despite orders to leave issued by Israel’s 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 wrote in a statement.
“The zone has neither the size nor scale of services to support those already there, let alone new arrivals,” he said. “Almost half the functional hospitals are in Gaza City,” he added.
Tedros also called for the international community to act, including through an immediate ceasefire and ensuring the protection of healthcare, humanitarian workers and civilians in the devastated Palestinian territory.
.@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.
To civilians in Gaza: WHO and partners remain in Gaza City.
To the international community: Act.
This… pic.twitter.com/TkDtu8sHol
— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) September 10, 2025
Ancient Gaza City faces ‘complete obliteration’: Rights group
Amnesty International has denounced Israel’s latest forced expulsion order affecting about one million residents in Gaza City, as the Israeli military carries out its plan to capture and occupy Gaza’s main urban centre.
“Gaza City, which has an ancient heritage that dates back millennia and has already suffered devastating destruction and damage, is now facing complete obliteration,” said Heba Morayef, regional director for the Middle East and North Africa.
“It is evident that Israel is determined in pursuing its goal to physically destroy Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. It is unconscionable that states with leverage over Israel continue to provide it with arms and diplomatic support to destroy Palestinian lives,” Morayef said in a statement.
“Deplorably, companies and investors continue to profit from Israel’s genocide. States and companies that continue to arm Israel risk complicity in genocide. All those with influence over Israel must press for an immediate end to Israel’s genocidal campaign and full humanitarian access to Gaza’s civilians.”
Smoke rises as a residential building collapses after an Israeli air strike in Gaza City
Israeli military says 200,000 people forced out of Gaza City: Reports
Tens of thousands of Palestinians have fled besieged Gaza City in recent days, as Israeli forces prepare to intensify their major offensive against Hamas, The Times of Israel reports, citing Israeli military figures.
A total of 200,000 Palestinians have been forced out of the city over recent weeks, according to the daily and Israel’s Channel 12, based on Israeli military estimates.
