24.03.2025 21:22
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres decided to reduce the organization's presence in Gaza following Israel's resumption of attacks.
The United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has reportedly decided to reduce the organization's presence in Gaza following Israel's resumption of attacks.
DECISION TO REDUCE UN PRESENCE IN GAZA
UN Secretary-General Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric made a statement regarding the issue at the daily press briefing. Dujarric pointed out that Israel carried out horrific attacks last week that led to the deaths of hundreds of civilians, including UN personnel.
Dujarric reminded that Israel has also not allowed humanitarian aid passage since the beginning of March, stating, "Therefore, the UN Secretary-General has reluctantly decided to reduce the organization's presence in Gaza. He had to make this decision as the humanitarian and protection needs of civilians are increasing. We are not leaving Gaza. We will continue to provide assistance for the survival and protection of civilians."
In this context, Dujarric expressed that the number of international personnel in Gaza would be reduced, noting that there are currently about 100 international UN personnel in Gaza, 30 of whom will be leaving. Dujarric reported that Israeli officials intend to continue their "military operations" in Gaza and confirmed that the attack that led to the death of UN personnel on March 19 was carried out by Israel.
Dujarric conveyed that Guterres strongly condemned Israel's attack and called for a comprehensive and independent investigation into the matter.
NUMEROUS UN AGENCIES WILL BE AFFECTED
In response to a question about why UN operations are affected, Dujarric stated that the displacement of people due to Israel's attacks and the inability to facilitate humanitarian aid entry have impacted operations. Dujarric mentioned that local personnel have taken on most of the work. Regarding which agencies will be affected by the reduction of the UN presence, Dujarric noted that the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the World Food Programme (WFP), the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) are among the agencies that will be affected.