Gaza: At least one UN staffer has been killed and at least five others injured, several very severely, following an explosion at two UN guesthouses in Deir al Balah in the central Gaza Strip on Wednesday. Health authorities in Gaza said all casualties were transferred to Shuhada Al-Aqsa Hospital in the city.
According to Kuwait News Agency, United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) chief Jorge Moreira da Silva stated that the premises targeted were well known to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and had been 'deconflicted', indicating that the IDF was aware that UN personnel were inside. "This was not an accident, this was an incident," he told journalists, emphasizing that additional information is being gathered.
Mr. da Silva clarified that an explosive ordnance was dropped or fired at the infrastructure and detonated inside the building, although it remains unclear whether this was due to air-drop weapons, artillery, or rocket fire.
He stressed that attacks against humanitarian premises are a breach of international law, arguing that "UN personnel and its premises must be protected by all sides." He highlighted the critical role of the UN in providing lifesaving assistance to the civilian population during times of tragedy and devastation.