Editor’s Note: As of today, media reports at least 49,547 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza
since the beginning of the conflict, with approximately 112,719 Palestinians injured.
“This was not an accident.” – U.N. Spokesperson
New York, N.Y. — At least one U.N. staffer has been killed and at least five others injured – several very severely – following an explosion at two U.N. guesthouses in Deir al Balah in the central Gaza Strip on Wednesday.
The U.N. is verifying and confirming the details, including the circumstances that led up to the incident at the compound,, but it was not due to “any action” that was being taken by U.N. personnel to remove “unexploded ordinance”, the head of the UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS) said during a press conference in Brussels.
According to media reports, the Israeli military – which has resumed deadly strikes in the Gaza Strip, killing hundreds since Monday – has denied attacking the compound.
“These premises were well known by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and they were ‘deconflicted’,” said, UNOPS chief Jorge Moreira da Silva, explaining that “everyone knew who was working inside the premises – it was U.N. personnel, UNOPS personnel.”
No accident
“This was not an accident, this was an incident,” he told journalists, adding that additional information is being collected.
“What we do know is that an explosive ordnance was dropped or fired at the infrastructure and detonated inside the building,” he said, adding it was unclear if it had been due to air-drop weapons, artillery or rocket fire.
Mr. da Silva stressed that attacks against humanitarian premises are a breach of international law.
“U.N. personnel and its premises must be protected by all sides. The civilian population relies on the UN for lifesaving assistance, they are an essential lifeline at the time of utter tragedy and devastation,” he said.
Previous attacks
The incident took place at around 11:30 AM local time on Wednesday. It followed strikes on Tuesday that resulted in some damage, and “a near miss” on Monday, Mr. da Silva said.
The U.N. buildings are situated in an “isolated area” in Dier al Balah.
Evacuating the injured
As investigations continue into the incident, the “top priority” is the evacuation of injured staff members, Mr. da Silva said.
“We have stayed and delivered for the people in Gaza in the last year and a half. This was not the first time a first colleague from UNOPS lost their life,” he added, noting that a staffer who drove aid trucks was killed around a year ago in the line of duty.
“It is very difficult to operate in Gaza… we have been challenged by the fact that international humanitarian law has not been respected,” he said.
UNOPS teams in Gaza have been carrying out critical humanitarian work, supporting hundreds of thousands of civilians severely affected by the conflict. Their efforts include delivering essential supplies such as fuel and assisting in demining and explosive removal.
Additionally, the agency manages the so-called U.N. 2720 Mechanism for Gaza, which was mandated by the Security Council to accelerate humanitarian aid into the enclave.
UN chief condemns attacks
Secretary-General António Guterres reaffirmed that all parties to the conflict have a legal obligation to protect UN premises, which must remain absolutely inviolable.
In a statement issued by his spokesperson, the UN chief strongly condemned the attacks and called for a full investigation.
“Today’s deadly strike brings the number of U.N. colleagues killed in Gaza since 7 October 2023 to at least 280,” the statement noted.
Mr. Guterres emphasized that all military operations must respect and prioritize civilian protection.
“The Secretary-General stresses the need for the ceasefire to be respected to bring an end to the suffering of the people. Humanitarian aid must reach all people in need. The hostages must be released immediately and unconditionally,” said the statement.
