UN scales back presence in Gaza amid 'Israeli' attacks
The United Nations has decided to scale back its presence in the Gaza Strip following devastating occupation strikes last week that resulted in the deaths of hundreds of civilians, including UN staff members.
UN Secretary-General spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric stated in a press release that the attacks not only caused significant casualties but also led to the destruction of multiple UN facilities. He further noted that humanitarian aid has been blocked from entering Gaza since early March, exacerbating the crisis.
Despite the rising humanitarian needs in Gaza, the UN has made the difficult decision to reduce its on-ground presence. However, Dujarric emphasized the organization’s continued commitment to providing essential aid and protecting civilians, even amid these operational challenges.
Dujarric also pointed out that the occupation authorities have halted the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza for over three weeks—marking the longest suspension of aid since the crisis escalated in October 2023.
The statement highlighted that on March 19, an occupation tank targeted a UN compound in Deir al-Balah, resulting in the death of a Bulgarian UN staff member and injuries to six others from various nationalities, including France, Palestine, the United Kingdom, Moldova, and North Macedonia.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres strongly condemned the attack and called for a thorough and independent investigation to uncover the details of the tragic incident. He stressed that all parties involved in the conflict are legally obligated to safeguard UN premises under international law.
In conclusion, Guterres urged all parties to fully adhere to international law and ensure the protection of civilians. He also demanded an end to the denial of humanitarian aid and called for the immediate and unconditional release of hostages.
Additionally, he appealed to the international community to employ all available diplomatic and economic measures to end the conflict and uphold the principles of international law.
