The United Nations announced on March 24, 2025, that it will reduce its international presence in the Gaza Strip following a renewed wave of violence linked to Israeli strikes that have resulted in the tragic deaths of civilians, including UN personnel. This decision, articulated by UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric, aims to ensure the safety of its staff amidst escalating humanitarian needs on the ground.
About 30 of the UN's 100 international staff members are expected to leave Gaza this week. Dujarric acknowledged that this move is a "difficult decision" made for security and operational reasons, as the humanitarian situation intensifies and concerns over civilian protection surge. The UN remains committed to aiding civilians, with Dujarric stating, "The organization remains committed to continuing to provide aid that civilians depend on for their survival and protection."
This decision follows an attack on March 19, 2025, when an Israeli tank struck the UN compound in Deir el-Balah, resulting in the death of Bulgarian UN staff member Marin Valev Marinov, as well as injuries to six other international staff members from various countries, including France, Moldova, and the United Kingdom. Dujarric's revelation of the incident marked the first acknowledgment implicating Israeli forces in the strike. "The point is that the Israelis knew exactly where this UN facility was, and it was hit by a shell from one of their tanks," he emphasized.
The Israeli military has maintained its position, denying responsibility for the strike and claiming that the attack was aimed at a Hamas site where preparations for firing into Israeli territory were allegedly underway. In light of the events, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for a "full, thorough and independent investigation" into the incident. Dujarric stated, "I think that’s one of the reasons we need to have a pretty clear and transparent investigation."
As the situation continues to deteriorate, the UN has reported that it has approximately 13,000 employees in Gaza, most of whom are Palestinian workers engaged in vital humanitarian roles. However, over 250 UN employees have tragically lost their lives in Gaza over the past 15 months due to the ongoing conflict.
In addition to the withdrawal of international staff, humanitarian operations have been dramatically affected by the ongoing violence. The UN and its partners have suspended several programs, particularly in education and health services—critical in a territory that is already under severe strain. According to Olga Cherevko, spokesperson for the UN's humanitarian office (OCHA), numerous activities have been disrupted as a result of security concerns, breaking down the delivery of essential services including water distribution.
The current state of affairs is particularly dire, as Israel has enforced a blockade, cutting off vital supplies such as food, fuel, and medicine to a population of around 2 million people for over three weeks. The UN’s education programs have also suffered, with only 29 out of 237 temporary learning spaces having resumed activities since the ceasefire collapsed, leaving many children without access to education during this time of crisis.
Eyewitness reports reveal the extreme devastation inflicted upon the region, with Gaza's health ministry citing over 50,000 casualties since the escalation of hostilities began on October 7, 2023. This staggering figure includes countless innocent civilians, whose lives have been irreparably affected by the violence.
As the international community watches with growing concern, the gravity of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza has prompted calls for urgent action to alleviate the suffering of those affected. The UN's decisions reflect not only a response to immediate security concerns but also an acknowledgment of the existential challenges faced by the people in this besieged territory. The hope remains that an independent investigation into recent strikes and continued dialogues can yield results that pave the way for peace and stability.
