The World Health Organisation (WHO) is “deeply concerned” about the “prolonged checks and detention” faced by a high-risk mission led by it to Gaza’s Al-Ahli Hospital.

WHO chief Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the mission was “stopped twice at the Wadi Gaza checkpoint” and as it entered Gaza City, an “aid truck carrying medical supplies and an ambulance were hit by bullets”.

He further said that on their return, “some patients and Red Crescent’s health workers were instructed at the checkpoint to leave the ambulances and be identified”.

Noting that a few health workers were “held and questioned for several hours”, the WHO chief said one patient died en route as a result.