UN cutting presence in Gaza after aid worker dies from Israeli attack

UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres on Monday announced a reduction of the UN presence in Gaza, citing escalating Israeli violence and increased threats to humanitarian personnel.

An attack on a UN compound last week killed a UN worker.

"In the past week, Israel carried out devastating strikes on Gaza, claiming the lives of hundreds of civilians, including UN personnel, with no humanitarian aid being allowed to enter the Strip since early March," said a statement from his spokesperson's office as reported by Anadolu Agency.

Saying that Guterres (above) "has taken the difficult decision to reduce the organisation’s footprint in Gaza, even as humanitarian needs soar and our concern over the protection of civilians intensifies," the statement stressed, however, that "the UN is not leaving Gaza."

"The organisation remains committed to continuing to provide aid that civilians depend on for their survival and protection," it added.

The statement noted that the Israeli government has blocked humanitarian aid into Gaza for over three weeks, calling it "the longest such suspension since Oct 7, 2023," when its deadly offensive began.

"Israeli officials have indicated that they intend to continue their military activities in Gaza. Based on the information available, the strikes hitting a UN compound in Deir Al Balah on March 19 were caused by an Israeli tank," it said.

UN demands probe

Guterres strongly condemned last week's Israeli strike on a UN compound that led to the death of a UN staff member from Bulgaria and serious injuries to six others.

"The location of this UN compound was well known to the parties to the conflict," it noted.

Guterres demanded a "full, thorough and independent investigation" into the Israeli attack and emphasised that all parties are "bound by international law to protect the absolute inviolability of UN premises."

"All states must use all their leverage to stop the conflict and ensure respect for international law – by applying diplomatic and economic pressure and combating impunity," it added.

Reiterating his call for an immediate ceasefire, Guterres urged an end to the suffering in Gaza.

Temporary measure

Asked about the number of staff to be reduced, UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric told reporters at a news conference that it is about one-third this week and "maybe a bit more likely to come" in the upcoming days.

"It's a temporary measure. We hope to have people return to Gaza as soon as practicable," he said.

Noting that there are around 100 international staff in Gaza, he said it is "done for security and operational reasons."

On the impact of reducing the footprint of UN staff, Dujarric said the humanitarian aid is still not going in since Israeli attacks resumed, thus "the vast majority of the distribution is being done by local staff."

He also said the agencies that will experience staff cuts include the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the World Food Programme, UN Children's Fund, UN Office for Project Services, UN Population Fund, World Health Organisation and UN Development Program.

- Bernama

COMMENT | The day Gaza was left to die

Over 700 Palestinians killed in Gaza since Tuesday: Ministry

Civil servant held over alleged insults to Prophet Muhammad on social media

Parliament caucus for Palestine condemns Israel's ceasefire breach

Global initiative launched to prosecute Israelis for Gaza war crimes