Israel-Gaza-Lebanon updates: Iranian president responds to Israel's retaliation

The entire population of North Gaza is "at risk of dying" because of actions by Israeli forces, acting United Nations Humanitarian Chief Joyce Msuya warned Saturday.

"What Israeli forces are doing in besieged North Gaza cannot be allowed to continue. Hospitals have been hit and health workers have been detained. Shelters have been emptied and burned down. First responders have been prevented from rescuing people from under the rubble. Families have been separated and men and boys are being taken away by the truckload," Msuya said.

"Hundreds of Palestinians have reportedly been killed. Tens of thousands have been forced to flee yet again," Msuya said. "Such blatant disregard for basic humanity and for the laws of war must stop."

The General Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces downplayed the seriousness of the damage caused by Israel's attack on its military facilities, and signaled it favors a cease-fire agreement ending the wars in Gaza and Lebanon over a direct response to Israel in a statement Saturday.

"In this illegitimate and illegal act, due to the readiness of the country's air defense, a significant number of missiles were tracked and intercepted, and enemy jets were been prevented from entering the country's airspace," the Iranian Armed Forces said in the statement.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran, while reserving its legal and legitimate right to respond at the appropriate time, emphasizes the establishment of a lasting cease-fire in Gaza and Lebanon to prevent the killing of the helpless and oppressed people," the Iranian Armed Forces said.

At least four people were killed in Israel's attack on Iran, according to Iranian state media.

The Israeli regime attacked military sites in the three provinces -- Tehran, Khuzestan and Ilam -- but the attacks were successfully thwarted, according to Iran’s Air Defense Force.

The Israel Defense Forces arrested 44 male staff members from the Kamal Adwan Hospital, leaving behind the hospital director, one male doctor and female staff to care for 200 patients, according to the World Health Organization.

"The situation in northern Gaza is catastrophic. Intensive military operations unfolding around and within healthcare facilities and a critical shortage of medical supplies, compounded by severely limited access, are depriving people of life saving care," the WHO said in a statement Saturday.

"The Health Ministry in Gaza informed us that the siege at Kamal Adwan Hospital has ended, but it came at a heavy cost," the WHO said. "Reports of the hospital facilities and medical supplies being damaged or destroyed during the siege are deplorable."