UN Scales Down Staff in Gaza Amid Escalating Israeli Strikes The United Nations has announced a reduction in its international staff presence in Gaza following a series of Israeli strikes that have resulted in the deaths of hundreds of civilians, including UN personnel. According to UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric, approximately 30 of the 100 international staff currently in Gaza will be withdrawn due to security and operational concerns. However, he emphasized that the UN is not abandoning the region entirely. “We are reducing the number of international staff members by about one-third this week. This is a temporary measure, and we hope to resume full operations as soon as possible,” Dujarric stated during a press briefing. Despite this reduction, the UN remains committed to delivering humanitarian aid and ensuring civilian protection. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres described the decision as difficult, especially as the humanitarian crisis worsens. Israeli Strike Hits UN Compound On March 19, an Israeli tank strike hit a UN compound in Deir Al Balah, resulting in the death of a Bulgarian UN worker and injuring six others from France, Moldova, North Macedonia, Palestine, and the United Kingdom. Dujarric confirmed that the UN compound’s location was well known to all parties involved in the conflict, and Guterres has called for a full, independent investigation into the incident. “The Israelis were fully aware of the location of this UN facility, yet it was struck by a tank shell. We need a transparent investigation,” Dujarric stated. Israel Denies Targeting the UN Facility While Gaza’s health ministry has attributed the strike to Israel, the Israeli government has denied responsibility. Israeli authorities claimed they had targeted a Hamas site where militants were preparing to fire into Israeli territory. In a separate incident, the Israeli military admitted that its forces mistakenly fired at a Red Cross building in Rafah, Gaza’s southern city. According to their statement, the attack was a result of misidentification, causing damage to the humanitarian organization’s office. Conclusion As tensions escalate in Gaza, the UN’s decision to scale down its staff underscores the increasing risks to humanitarian workers. While the organization remains committed to aiding civilians, the recent attacks highlight the urgent need for independent investigations and greater protections for humanitarian missions. Read the full UN statement on the situation READ ALSO: Follow the LMSINT MEDIA channel on WhatsApp: Join Our WhatsApp Group Hear: Chat on WhatsApp Join our Telegram Chanel.
Israeli airstrikes targeted Yemen’s Sanaa International Airport and other key sites on Thursday, resulting in reported fatalities. According to Huthi rebel media, six people were killed in the bombings, which hit the airport, military sites, and power plants in areas controlled by Huthi rebels. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO’s director-general, confirmed that he was at the airport during the airstrikes and that one crew member of their plane was injured. Despite requests, the Israeli military has not yet commented on whether they were aware of his presence at the time. The attacks on Yemen come amid escalating tensions between Israel and the Huthis, who are allied with Iran’s “axis of resistance.” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed that Israel’s strikes would persist until their objectives were achieved, declaring their commitment to “cutting this branch of terrorism” linked to Iran. The UN’s Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, condemned the attacks, particularly the strike on Sanaa’s airport, calling the escalation concerning. Tedros, who had been in Yemen to negotiate the release of detained UN personnel and evaluate the humanitarian situation, reported that he and his team were preparing to board a flight when the bombing occurred. He confirmed significant damage to the airport’s air traffic control tower, departure lounge, and runway, which would delay their departure until repairs were completed. Witnesses reported that the Sanaa airport was hit by more than six separate airstrikes, with additional raids targeting the nearby Al-Dailami air base. Yemen’s civil aviation authority noted that the strikes occurred while a UN aircraft was preparing to depart, but they expect the airport to reopen on Friday. Further strikes also targeted a power station in Hodeida. While Huthi officials confirmed six deaths from the raids, they also noted that two people were killed at the Sanaa airport, and one at Ras Issa port. Huthi spokesperson Mohammed Abdulsalam condemned the airstrikes, labeling them a “Zionist crime” against the Yemeni people, especially after the Huthis launched missile and drone attacks against Israel the previous day. READ ALSO: Follow the LMSINT MEDIA channel on WhatsApp: Join Our WhatsApp Group Hear: Chat on WhatsApp Join our Telegram Chanel.
