The United Nations humanitarian affairs office (OCHA) says the Israeli military stalled a medical evacuation convoy in the city of Khan Younis in southern Gaza, detaining a paramedic and forcing others to remove their clothes.

It said the incident occurred on Sunday during the evacuation of 24 patients from the city’s al-Amal Hospital, which has been under siege by Israeli forces, Al Jazeera reported. 

“Despite prior coordination for all staff members and vehicles with the Israeli side, the Israeli forces blocked the WHO-led [World Health Organization] convoy for many hours the moment it left the hospital,” Jens Laerke, spokesperson for OCHA, told reporters in Geneva.

“The Israeli military forced patients and staff out of ambulances and stripped all paramedics of their clothes,” Laerke said. “Three Palestinian Red Crescent Society paramedics were subsequently detained, although their personal details had been shared with the Israeli forces in advance.”

He said one paramedic was later released and appealed for the release of the two others and all other imprisoned health personnel.