United Nations reducing presence in Gaza after killing of humanitarian worker

(Patria) - UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres yesterday announced a reduction of the UN presence in Gaza, citing escalating Israeli violence and increased threats to humanitarian personnel, including an attack on a UN base last week in which a UN worker was killed.

"In the past week, Israel has carried out devastating attacks on Gaza, claiming the lives of hundreds of civilians, including UN staff, and humanitarian aid has not been allowed to enter the Strip since the beginning of March," Guterres' statement reads.

Emphasizing that Guterres made the "difficult decision to reduce the organization's presence in Gaza," even as humanitarian needs and concerns grow, the UN stated that it is not abandoning Gaza.

"The organization remains committed to continuing to provide the assistance on which civilians depend for their survival and protection," the UN stated.

They further state that the Israeli government has been blocking humanitarian aid to Gaza for more than three weeks, calling it "the longest such suspension since October 7, 2023," when Israeli attacks began.

"Israeli officials have indicated that they intend to continue their military activities in Gaza. Based on currently available information, the strikes that hit the UN base in Deir Al Balah on March 19 were carried out by an Israeli tank," the statement adds.

Guterres strongly condemned last week's Israeli attack on the UN base that led to the death of a UN staff member from Bulgaria and serious injuries to six other workers.

"The location of this UN compound was well known to the parties to the conflict," the UN stated.

Guterres called for a full, thorough, and independent investigation into the Israeli attack and emphasized that all parties are obligated under international law to protect the absolute inviolability of UN sites.

All states, the statement adds, must use all their influence to stop the conflict and ensure respect for international law by applying diplomatic and economic pressure and combating impunity.

Reiterating his call for an immediate ceasefire, Guterres called for an end to the suffering in Gaza.