UN Reduces Staff in Gaza

The United Nations has announced plans to scale back its international presence in Gaza due to escalating security risks, following renewed Israeli military strikes that have killed hundreds of civilians, including UN personnel.

UN spokesperson Stephan Dujarric confirmed that about 30 of the organization’s 100 international staff members in Gaza would be withdrawn this week.

The decision comes at a time when humanitarian needs in the region have reached critical levels and concerns over civilian safety continue to grow.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres approved the move for security and operational reasons, describing it as a necessary but difficult step.

The UN also confirmed that an Israeli tank was responsible for a strike on a UN compound in Deir el-Balah, central Gaza, on March 19.

The attack resulted in the death of a Bulgarian UN staff member and left six other foreign personnel with severe injuries.

The UN’s statement directly implicated Israeli forces for the first time in this assault, following previous denials from Israel’s military.

The conflict has taken a devastating toll on humanitarian workers in Gaza. The UN employs over 13,000 personnel in the region, the majority of whom are Palestinians serving as doctors, nurses, and essential aid workers.

More than 250 UN staff members have been killed since the start of Israel’s military campaign. The latest withdrawal of international personnel marks a significant reduction in the organization’s presence on the ground, further complicating relief efforts in the besieged territory.

Secretary-General Guterres has called for a full, independent investigation into the Israeli tank strike on the UN compound.

Meanwhile, the Israeli military has admitted responsibility for firing on a Red Cross building in Rafah, southern Gaza, attributing the incident to an error in target identification.

The International Committee of the Red Cross has reported damage to its facility, which has directly impacted its ability to operate.

Since the outbreak of the war on Gaza on October 7, 2023, Israeli attacks have killed more than 50,000 Palestinians and wounded over 113,200, according to health officials.