Israel Expands Attacks in Central Gaza City and Raids W.H.O. Offices

The Israeli military has expanded its operations in a part of central Gaza that had remained relatively unscathed during the war with Hamas, raiding a U.N. facility and prompting panic among Palestinians who had sought refuge in the area.

In the raid on the U.N. facility, a World Health Organization building in the city of Deir al-Balah, Israeli forces handcuffed and stripped male staff and family members and held them at gunpoint, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director general of the agency, said in a statement. Women and children were forcibly evacuated south in the raid, which took place on Monday, he added.

The Israeli military said that its forces had come under fire while operating in the area. It did not deny raiding the W.H.O. facility but said that any “suspects” had been treated “in accordance with international law.”

Israeli troops have swept through much of Gaza backed by extensive airstrikes during the 21 months of the war. But the city of Deir al-Balah had been left largely untouched, partly because Israeli officials said they believed that hostages were being held there.

On Sunday, the Israeli military ordered residents in parts of the city to leave or face life-threatening danger. Some Palestinians thought those warnings suggested that Israel was poised to launch a ground offensive in the city.

The Israeli military launched strikes and ground operations around Deir al-Balah, but it was unclear how far the operations would expand. Israeli troops had not advanced into the densely populated city center, but residents were already fleeing.