Topic: World News
Posted 1 week ago
The United Nations reported that one of its workers was killed and several others injured after an incident at a compound in Gaza on Wednesday. The exact circumstances remain unclear.
The Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza attributed the incident to an Israeli airstrike, stating that five critically injured foreign workers were admitted to a local hospital. However, the Israeli military denied targeting the UN compound.
This incident follows a resumption of fighting after a two-month ceasefire. Israel launched strikes resulting in over 400 fatalities, as reported by Gaza's health ministry. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that combat had resumed "in full force" on Tuesday.
On the following day, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) expanded ground operations in Gaza, stating their aim was to create a buffer zone between the northern and southern parts of the territory.
The UN initially indicated that two of its workers were killed, but later clarified that one individual was not a staff member. An official from the UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS) stated that an "explosive ordnance" was either dropped or fired at the building located in an "isolated" area.
UNOPS Executive Director Jorge Moreira da Silva described the incident as "not an accident," emphasizing the need for protection for UN personnel and their premises.
According to reports from the Palestinian news agency Wafa, at least 20 people were killed in air strikes across Gaza overnight, including civilians in a humanitarian zone. The Israeli military contends that it targeted Hamas military sites preparing to launch attacks against Israel.
Gaza's health ministry reported that 436 people, including 183 children, have died in strikes since the renewed fighting began on Tuesday.
Netanyahu framed the renewed combat as an effort to recover hostages and eliminate Hamas. However, families of the hostages criticized the government for seemingly abandoning their loved ones. In Jerusalem, protests erupted against Netanyahu's actions, with accusations of undermining democracy.
Currently, Israel claims Hamas is holding 59 hostages, with 24 believed to be alive. Calls for the release of hostages in exchange for a ceasefire have gained traction.
Aid workers have raised alarms over the humanitarian situation in Gaza due to Israeli restrictions on aid deliveries. Tom Fletcher, the UN's humanitarian affairs chief, described the current killing intensity as "off the scale" and stressed the urgent need to restore humanitarian aid.
As conflicts continue, both sides suffer casualties, including among civilians and local leaders. The regional mediators are working towards negotiations for a de-escalation.