The World Health Organization’s director-general, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, stated on his social media page that two tanks belonging to the Israel Defense Forces fired near a convoy led by the World Health Organization. The incident occurred on September 14 as the convoy was returning from a routine mission in the northern portion of the Gaza Strip. The group had been cleared to advance and had passed a checkpoint when the tanks reportedly opened fire not far from the vehicles. The confrontation highlighted the hazards humanitarian teams face when delivering essential health services amid active hostilities and drew swift concern from health partners and donor governments about maintaining safe access to the area.
Ghebreyesus underscored on social media that the firing was unacceptable and emphasized that the safety of humanitarian personnel is non-negotiable. He noted that the attack arrived despite assurances of safe passage and coordination through established corridors for aid convoys. The director-general stressed that the WHO convoy was returning from a field operation when the shooting occurred and he urged all parties to respect humanitarian work, protect medical teams, and ensure vaccines and other life-saving supplies could reach vulnerable communities. The message added to a long-running plea from health agencies for reliable, protected access for aid workers in conflict zones.
Earlier in September, on September 9, the Israeli army detained a United Nations convoy in the northern Gaza Strip after information suggested the presence of suspects among the group. The Israeli military press service described the vehicles as a UN rotation moving through the area, while the United Nations confirmed that personnel had traveled north to launch a vaccination campaign long planned for the region. The convoy was released the following day after assurances were given that proper safety procedures would be followed in future operations. Observers noted that such detentions disrupt immunization efforts, hinder routine health services, and erode the trust communities place in humanitarian organizations during a period of heightened risk.
On October 7 the security situation deteriorated further as thousands of armed supporters tied to Hamas crossed into Israel from the Gaza Strip. In response, Israel declared the country to be at war, initiating a broad campaign aimed at neutralizing the threat, stabilizing security, and protecting civilians. The stated objectives included repelling the assault, securing the release of more than 200 hostages of various nationalities, and dismantling leadership structures within the group responsible for the cross-border breaches. International observers described the development as a major escalation, with humanitarian agencies bracing for tighter restrictions on access and an intensified focus on safeguarding medical teams and aid convoys operating under dangerous conditions.
Meanwhile, the international community is pressing for lasting solutions and safer pathways for humanitarian work. In discussions within the United States, policymakers have debated who has control over a ceasefire and how diplomacy can shape events on the ground. Health organizations have called for any ceasefire agreement to include guaranteed windows for vaccination campaigns, emergency medical deliveries, and medical evacuations. The aim is to create protected corridors that all sides recognize, enabling clinics, mobile units, and hospitals to function with minimal risk and ensuring that life-saving supplies reach people in need.
Experts warn that the ongoing cycle of violence could compound health emergencies, disrupt routine care, and threaten disease prevention efforts at a moment when coverage matters most. Medical relief groups continue to emphasize neutrality and the importance of safe access, arguing that health workers must be able to operate independently of combatant activity. Donor governments and international agencies remain engaged, urging de-escalation and the opening of humanitarian corridors that can withstand shifting frontlines, thereby protecting vaccination programs, maternal and child health services, and essential treatments.
While the region’s volatility continues to unfold, the international community continues to monitor the situation closely, with health actors reiterating a commitment to neutral, unimpeded medical care even amid conflict. The ongoing sequence of incidents underscores the vulnerability of frontline workers and the essential services they provide, from vaccination campaigns to routine healthcare, and it highlights the urgent need for renewed diplomatic engagement to create additional safeguards for humanitarian operations in Gaza and neighboring areas.