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UN Reduces International Presence in Gaza amid Israeli Attacks
The United Nations has announced a reduction in its international staff in Gaza following intensified Israeli attacks that have resulted in the deaths of hundreds of civilians, including UN personnel.
According to UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric, approximately 30 of the 100 international UN workers stationed in Gaza will leave this week. He acknowledged that this decision, made by Secretary-General António Guterres, comes at a time of heightened humanitarian needs and growing concerns for civilian safety. The withdrawal, described as a temporary measure, was taken for security and operational reasons.
Dujarric also confirmed that an Israeli tank was responsible for the March 19 attack on a UN facility in Deir el-Balah, central Gaza. The strike killed a Bulgarian UN staff member and severely injured six other foreign personnel. This statement marks the UN’s first direct implication of Israeli forces in the attack, despite previous Israeli military denials. The strike occurred shortly after Israel ended a two-month ceasefire with Hamas.
Al Jazeera’s Gabriel Elizondo, reporting from UN headquarters in New York, highlighted that the reduction applies only to international workers. The UN still employs over 13,000 Palestinian staff in Gaza, including doctors, nurses, and aid workers, hundreds of whom have been killed since the war began. Due to escalating dangers, Guterres has decided to withdraw nearly one-third of the international staff for their safety.
The UN Secretary-General has also called for an independent investigation into the Israeli tank attack. When questioned about whether the strike was deliberate, Dujarric emphasized the need for a transparent inquiry.
Additionally, on Monday, the Israeli military admitted to mistakenly targeting a Red Cross facility in Rafah, southern Gaza. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) reported that an explosive projectile damaged its office, although no staff were harmed. The attack has directly impacted humanitarian operations.
Since October 7, 2023, Israel’s military campaign in Gaza has resulted in over 50,000 Palestinian deaths and more than 113,200 injuries, according to health officials.