The United Nations announced on Monday that it would withdraw about one-third of its international workers after Israel repeatedly strikes on its facilities, reducing its presence in Gaza.
Secretary-General António Guterres said in a statement that the decision to reduce the organization’s footprint in Gaza was “difficult” as humanitarian demand soared and resumed Israeli attacks, killing hundreds of Palestinians, including women and children.
Since the Israel-Hamas war began in 2023, the United Nations has reduced its workforce in Gaza, but it will remain there.
“The United Nations has not left Gaza. The organization remains committed to continuing to provide assistance to civilians rely on their survival and protection,” Mr. Guterres said in a statement.
Mr Guterres said at least 280 United Nations staff members have been killed in Gaza since the beginning of the war.
UN spokesman Stéphane Dujarric said about 30% of the organization’s 100 international staff from different agencies will leave Gaza next week, which is likely to leave in the next few weeks.
Local Palestinian staff will remain in Gaza for humanitarian work.
Dujarik said on March 19, an Israeli tank shell attacked the United Nations compound near Deir Al Balah in Gaza. The attack killed a UN staff member from Bulgaria and injured six others.
“The key is that the Israelis know exactly where this UN facility is, and it was hit by shells from one of the tanks,” Dujarik said. He said the UN wanted to conduct an independent investigation and called on all warring parties to respect the international law that protects both the United Nations and humanitarian workers.
“The preliminary investigation into this incident has no contact with the IDF,” said UN spokesman Jonathan Harouunoff, who added: “Our only target is Hamas terrorists, whose justification is to kill and kidnap Israelis, use Gazas as human shields, and use UN facilities as launch pads and weapons warehouses.”
The United Nations claims that Israel has repeatedly targeted its compounds, fleets and workers in Gaza.
Israel has blocked all humanitarian aid to Gaza since March 2, and as the border is closed, no food, medicine, fuel or clean water has entered the two million people for weeks.
Israel said it blocked aid and resumed air strikes, breaking a fragile ceasefire agreement with Hamas as armed groups led an October 7, 2023 attack on Israel and launched a war attack, refusing to release the remaining hostages of humanity. Of the 59 remaining hostages in Gaza, less than half are believed to be alive.
Mr Dujarich said the Israeli strike also targeted ambulances and medical personnel who tried to save air strike survivors.
