UN Secretary-General makes ‘difficult decision’ to withdraw 30 percent of international staff from Gaza in response to Israeli attacks.

Stephan Dujarric, the UN spokesperson, stated in a briefing on Monday that approximately 30 out of the UN’s 100 international staff will be leaving Gaza this week. He acknowledged that the withdrawal is occurring during a period of heightened humanitarian needs and growing concerns for civilian safety.

Dujarric described the move as a “temporary measure” and a “difficult decision” made by the UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, for security and operational reasons.

Additionally, the UN spokesperson confirmed that an Israeli tank was responsible for the attack on a UN compound in Deir el-Balah, central Gaza, on March 19, which killed a Bulgarian UN staff member and injured six others. This statement marks the first time the UN has directly imputed responsibility for the attack on Israeli forces.

Gabriel Elizondo, reporting for Al Jazeera from the UN headquarters in New York, explained that the staff reduction affects international workers and that the UN still employs thousands of mainly Palestinian staff in Gaza. Many of these employees have lost their lives since the beginning of Israel’s conflict with the territory.

While the UN has over 13,000 employees in Gaza, the majority of whom are Palestinians working in critical humanitarian roles, over 250 have been killed in the past 15 months. Now, the Secretary-General is reducing the international staff by approximately 30 to ensure their safety.

Dujarric also revealed that Guterres has called for a “full, thorough, and independent investigation” into the Israeli tank attack on the UN compound on March 19. Israel had initially denied responsibility for the incident, claiming it targeted a Hamas site.

Regarding whether the UN believes the Israeli tank attack was an intentional strike on its facilities, Dujarric called for a clear and transparent investigation. The Israeli military has since admitted to attacking a Red Cross building in Rafah, south of Gaza, attributing the incident to mistaken identity.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) reported damage to its office in Rafah due to an explosive projectile but stated that no staff were injured. The damage has impacted the ICRC’s ability to operate.

Since October 7, 2023, Israel’s military campaign in Gaza has resulted in the deaths of over 50,000 Palestinians and wounded approximately 113,200 others, according to health officials.