The United Nations stated that a UN facility in the Gaza Strip was damaged on Wednesday, resulting in the death of one staff member and injuries to several others. The specific circumstances of the incident are still under investigation and remain unclear, requiring a thorough examination to determine the exact cause and contributing factors.
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03-20, 2025The Hamas-controlled health ministry in Palestine accused Israel of launching the attack, claiming that five critically injured foreign staff members had been taken to hospitals for treatment. However, the Israeli military denied attacking the UN facility in Deir al-Balah, emphasizing their commitment to avoiding civilian casualties and adhering to international law.
This followed Israel's announcement that it was resuming combat in Gaza after a two-month ceasefire. According to the Gaza health ministry, Israeli forces subsequently launched a series of attacks, resulting in over 400 deaths. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on Tuesday that Israel had "fully resumed fighting," signaling a renewed intensity in the conflict.
A day later, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced that it would expand its ground operations in the Gaza Strip to the Netzarim Corridor, which connects the north and south. The military added that troops entered the area to establish a "partial buffer zone" between northern and southern Gaza, aiming to enhance security and control over the region.
The UN initially reported that two staff members had died, but later clarified that the second deceased individual was not a UN employee. The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) stated that an "explosive was thrown or fired" at the building, which was located in an "isolated" position. The agency added that it was currently unable to confirm the nature of the incident or the type of artillery used, necessitating further investigation. UNOPS Executive Director Jorge Moreira da Silva called the incident "no accident" and added that "UN personnel and premises must be protected by all parties," underscoring the need for accountability and adherence to international humanitarian law.
A spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a statement that two guesthouses were attacked and called for a full investigation. Verified video from the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) showed injured people—two of whom were still wearing blue UN bulletproof vests—arriving at hospitals in ambulances and UN vehicles, highlighting the immediate aftermath of the attacks and the urgent need for medical assistance.
It was also reported that the Gaza Strip was subjected to overnight airstrikes, resulting in at least 20 deaths, after Israel announced the resumption of fighting in the Palestinian territory. The Palestinian Wafa news agency cited Red Crescent medical personnel as saying that an Israeli drone struck a tent near the al-Mawasi humanitarian zone, killing two civilians and injuring five others. The Israeli military stated that they attacked a supposed Hamas military site from which the group was preparing to launch rockets into Israel, and that vessels belonging to Hamas were also attacked, indicating a continued focus on targeting Hamas infrastructure and capabilities.
Tom Fletcher, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief, said of Tuesday's attacks that "the intensity of the killing is now beyond scale." Wafa reported that a woman and child were killed in an airstrike north of Khan Younis in the early hours of Wednesday, and four others were killed in attacks in Gaza City. The Gaza health ministry said that 436 people, including 183 children, had been killed in attacks since Tuesday, revealing the devastating human cost of the renewed hostilities.
Tuesday's attacks were the most intense bombing since a fragile ceasefire and hostage exchange agreement took effect on January 19, after Israel and Hamas failed to agree on how to extend the truce beyond its initial phase. The agreement involved three phases, and negotiations for the second phase were supposed to begin six weeks ago but did not occur, leading to the breakdown in talks and the resumption of conflict.
Under the proposed second phase, Israel would withdraw its forces from Gaza, but Israel and the United States instead pushed to extend the first phase to release more hostages in exchange for more Palestinian prisoners. Netanyahu framed the resumption of fighting as a return to Israel's primary goals—rescuing hostages and "getting rid" of Hamas—but hostage families criticized the decision, saying it showed the government had given up on their loved ones. Thousands of Israelis gathered in Jerusalem to participate in protests, accusing Netanyahu of undermining democracy and restarting the offensive in Gaza regardless of the hostages' safety, reflecting deep divisions within Israeli society over the government's handling of the conflict.
Israel says Hamas is still holding 59 hostages, 24 of whom are believed to be alive. Egypt, which is mediating the negotiations, said the new attacks were a "blatant" violation of the ceasefire agreement. Israel had previously completely halted all humanitarian aid from entering Gaza, drawing widespread concern from the international community, who are calling for immediate access to provide essential assistance to civilians in need.
Mr. Fletcher, speaking to BBC Radio 4's "Today" program, said: "It's now been two weeks that our food supplies are rotting at the border, medicines are expiring, water has been cut off, electricity has been cut off—all in a further act of collective punishment of civilians." He said he spoke to the UN Security Council on Tuesday in an attempt to lift the blockade and get the ceasefire agreement back on track, including the release of hostages. "I'm not being fanciful," the UN chief added. He said his team will "keep going" in Gaza, as they are "determined to do everything we can to save as many survivors as possible." "They said to us: it says what our values are, we cannot allow an atrocity of the 21st century to happen in front of our eyes—and not only happen, but be cheered on in front of our eyes?" emphasizing the moral imperative to address the humanitarian crisis and prevent further suffering.
Hamas has confirmed that several of its leaders were killed in Tuesday's attacks, including Essam al-Dalis, the head of its de facto government. Meanwhile, Islamic Jihad said that Abu Hamza, a prominent spokesman for its armed forces, was killed. The group's armed personnel participated in the October 7, 2023, attacks that triggered the current conflict, highlighting the ongoing impact of the initial attacks. However, many civilians, including dozens of children, are also believed to be among the dead, underscoring the devastating impact on innocent populations.
Regional mediators are reportedly pushing for Hamas to release some of the Israeli hostages it still holds in exchange for a de-escalation of the situation. But Netanyahu has said that all future ceasefire negotiations will be conducted "under fire." The October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas on Israel resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and the capture of 251 hostages—25 of whom were released alive during the first phase of the ceasefire. Israel's response has been a massive military offensive that Hamas-controlled health ministry officials say has killed more than 48,500 Palestinians and caused widespread damage to homes and infrastructure, leading to a humanitarian crisis of immense proportions.
