The UN Steps Back in Gaza for Safety Concerns
Employees are being withdrawn from the Gaza Strip by some entities. - United Nations Reduces Personnel Presence in Gaza Strip
Hey there! Let's talk about a major event that went down in 2025. You know, the UN and all that? Well, the United Nations made a tough call and decided to decrease its international staff in the Gaza Strip. Here's what happened.
The UN Secretary-General António Guterres wasn't too happy about the dangerous situation for UN workers in the Gaza Strip, so he made a hard decision to withdraw around one-third of the international staff, dropping from 100 to approximately 70 members[1][4]. This pullback happened after a shocking incident at a UN compound in Deir al-Balah on March 19, 2025[1][4].
In this incident, a Bulgarian UN employee sadly lost their life, and several others from France, Moldova, North Macedonia, the Palestinian territories, and the United Kingdom suffered injuries[1][4]. The UN believed this unfortunate accident was due to a strike at the compound, but Israel denied any involvement[1][4].
Because of increased dangers due to renewed hostilities and Israeli military operations, the UN felt it necessary to go ahead with the removal; however, they made it clear they weren't leaving Gaza altogether and would still continue providing aid[1][2]. The UN emphasized the importance of a thorough investigation into the incident to find out what happened[1][2].
Israel is known for its fierce military tactics in the area, so it's no surprise that things can get a bit touchy. In fact, some reports suggest the strike at the UN compound might've originated from an Israeli tank[1][4]. Israel has denied these allegations, though[1][4]. The UN, understandably, called for a full and independent investigation[5].
While tensions run high in the Gaza Strip, it's essential to maintain peace and better understand what's happening. The UN will continue working diligently to help the Palestinian population in the region.
Sources:1. AP News, "UN staff withdrawn from Gaza after deadly compound attack," https://apnews.com/article/b17311ae516d473cab50c34e199e34a02. Al Jazeera, "UN reduces staff in Gaza after deadly attack on compound," https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/3/20/un-reduces-staff-in-gaza-after-deadly-attack-on-compound3. CNN, "Israel denies responsibility for strike on UN compound in Gaza," https://edition.cnn.com/2025/03/19/middleeast/israel-gaza-un-compound-strike-intl/index.html4. Haaretz, "UN staff withdrawn from Gaza after deadly strike on UN compound," https://www.haaretz.com/world-news/2025-03-19/un-staff-withdrawn-from-gaza-after-deadly-strike-on-un-compound/5. UN News, "UN calls for full and independent investigation into deadly strike on UN compound in Gaza," https://news.un.org/en/story/2025/03/1071002
The Commission is also proposing to extend the scope of the programme to include the Gaza Strip, considering the need for continuous assistance due to the safety concerns and withdrawal of UN staff from the area. Stéphane, a possible representative, has reportedly agreed to advocate for this proposal. Unconfirmed reports suggest that employees of the UN, including those from Gaza, might be tasked with investigating the incident at a UN compound in Deir al-Balah, which resulted in the death of one worker and the injury of others.
