UN Worker Death in Gaza: Investigation Launched by Israel
Israel has initiated an investigation into the tragic death of a UN worker in the Gaza Strip, as announced by a spokesperson from the foreign ministry. This comes after the military denied any involvement in the incident, which was the result of an unexplained explosion. The UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS) confirmed the loss of one of its staff members in Gaza, indicating that an unidentified piece of explosive ordnance struck a UN facility in Deir el-Balah, leaving five others injured. This incident occurred amidst a significant escalation in Israel’s military operations in the region, marking the deadliest series of attacks since a ceasefire was established earlier this year in the long-standing conflict with Hamas.
Jorge Moreira da Silva, the head of UNOPS, expressed his profound shock and grief following the incident. In his statement, he asserted that “this was not an accident” and highlighted that strikes against humanitarian sites violate international law. He strongly emphasized the necessity for all parties to ensure the protection of UN personnel and facilities, underscoring the gravity of such attacks on humanitarian efforts.
Israeli Response and Foreign Ministry Remarks
In response to the tragic event, Israeli foreign ministry spokesperson Oren Marmorstein extended condolences via social media, acknowledging the death of a Bulgarian national who was working for the UN in Gaza. Marmorstein stated that the circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation, noting that initial assessments found no links to any Israeli military actions at the time.
Bulgaria’s foreign ministry confirmed the loss of its citizen without disclosing specific details about the location of the incident. Reports from the scene indicate that the injured were taken to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital for treatment. Marmorstein further mentioned that Israeli forces were involved in evacuating both the deceased and the injured, who would be receiving medical care in Israeli hospitals.
UN Leadership Reaction Amidst Rising Casualties
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed his deep sorrow and dismay at the death of the UNOPS staff member, which occurred when two guesthouses were struck in Deir el-Balah. According to UN spokesman Farhan Haq, the current conflict has resulted in the unfortunate deaths of at least 280 UN employees in Gaza since October 2023.
Images released by AFPTV showed injured individuals being treated, including two men suffering from leg injuries and another with severe bandaging on his abdomen, suggesting significant trauma. Despite conflicting reports about the number of casualties, Haq clarified that only one confirmed fatality occurred, with one of the injured in critical condition. He reiterated the call for protection of all UN premises, emphasizing the obligation of all parties involved in the conflict to respect international law.
Discrepancies in Incident Attribution
The health ministry in the Hamas-controlled area attributed the explosion to Israeli airstrikes, a claim that was firmly denied by the Israeli military. An army spokesperson clarified that there was no operational activity in the vicinity of the UN compound at the time of the explosion.
Initially, a source within the UN had reported that a second employee was killed during the tragic event; however, Haq later clarified that this was incorrect. He did, however, note that one of the injured had sustained life-threatening injuries. Haq stressed that it was imperative for the involved parties to adhere to international obligations regarding the protection of humanitarian workers and facilities.
Call for Accountability and Investigative Efforts
Haq concluded with a stern condemnation of any attacks on UN personnel, advocating for a thorough investigation to determine the responsible parties. He confirmed that the explosion was not due to unexploded landmines but was likely caused by an explosive device that had been either dropped or fired at the building.
In his closing remarks, Haq noted the uncertainty surrounding the source of the explosive, questioning whether it was launched from land, sea, or air. This incident underscores the ongoing challenges faced by humanitarian operations in conflict zones and the critical need for accountability.
