New York (Web Desk/ Agencies): At least one United Nations (UN) staff member has been killed, and several others have sustained severe injuries following an explosion at their official premises in Deir al Balah, located in the central Gaza Strip on Wednesday.
Confirming the incident at a regular briefing in New York, UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Aziz Haq told the reporters that they are still working to verify the details, including the circumstances leading up to the explosion.
He clarified that the incident was not related to any efforts by UN personnel to remove unexploded ordnance. Haq noted, however, that the responsible party for the explosion has not yet been determined, as the investigation is ongoing.
Reports have indicated that the Israeli military, which has resumed airstrikes in Gaza resulting in numerous casualties since Monday, has denied involvement in the attack on the compound.
“These premises were well known by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and they were ‘deconflicted’,” stated UNOPS chief Jorge Moreira da Silva.
He explained that the Israeli forces were fully aware that the building housed UN personnel.
“Everyone knew who was working inside the premises – it was UN personnel, UNOPS personnel.” He further emphasized that “This was not an accident, this was an incident,” adding that further information is being gathered.
While the exact cause of the explosion remains unclear, Da Silva confirmed that an explosive ordnance was dropped or fired at the infrastructure, resulting in a detonation inside the building. It remains uncertain whether this came from air-dropped weapons, artillery, or rocket fire.
“What we do know is that an explosive ordnance was dropped or fired at the infrastructure and detonated inside the building,” Da Silva said.
He also stressed that such attacks on humanitarian premises constitute a breach of international law. “UN personnel and its premises must be protected by all sides.
The civilian population relies on the UN for lifesaving assistance, they are an essential lifeline at the time of utter tragedy and devastation,” he emphasized. The explosion occurred at around 11:30
AM local time on Wednesday, following previous strikes on Tuesday that caused damage and a “near miss” on Monday, according to Da Silva.
The UNOPS building is located in an isolated area of Deir al Balah, making it particularly vulnerable.
