UN Cuts International Staff in Gaza Amid Heightened Security Concerns
The United Nations has announced a significant reduction in its international staff present in the Gaza Strip, decreasing their numbers by one third in response to ongoing attacks by the Israeli army on UN facilities. This decision comes as security conditions within the region continue to deteriorate. Currently, approximately 100 international employees from various UN agencies are stationed in Gaza, with around 30 set to depart by the end of this week, and more departures possible in the near future.
UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric emphasized that this staff reduction is a temporary measure and reiterated the organization’s commitment to returning fully to operations in Gaza as soon as the security situation allows. Most of the UN workforce in the Strip consists of Palestinian employees, who are expected to remain despite the escalating threats.
The urgency for this decision has been underscored by a tragic incident on March 19, where an explosive device struck a UN facility in Deir al-Balah, resulting in the death of a 51-year-old UN staff member of Bulgarian nationality and injuring several others. Dujarric cited that the explosive originated from an Israeli tank and asserted that Israel had full awareness of the facility's location. However, an Israeli UN spokesperson has categorically denied any involvement from the Israeli army in this attack.
The situation has been exacerbated since the outbreak of the war in Gaza on October 7, 2023, which has led to the deaths of at least 280 UN employees.
Following a ceasefire that lasted approximately six weeks, Israel resumed its bombing campaigns in Gaza starting March 18, leading to hundreds of Palestinian fatalities. The military operations have also seen Israel regain control of the Netzarim corridor—a critical area that separates northern Gaza from the south, which is essential for maintaining territorial control as well as restricting movement between the regions for both civilians and Hamas militants.
Furthermore, the Israeli army has been obstructing the delivery of nearly all humanitarian aid since March 2. This blockade appears to be a strategy to apply pressure on Hamas while negotiating an extension of the initial ceasefire agreement proposed in January but not included in the official accords agreed upon by both parties.
As these developments unfold, the humanitarian landscape in Gaza continues to deteriorate, raising urgent calls for international attention and intervention.
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