Key Takeaways:

• The U.N. will reduce its international staff in Gaza by around one-third due to security concerns arising from Israeli strikes.
• This move follows the death of a Bulgarian U.N. staff member and injuries to others in an Israeli attack on a U.N. compound.
• Despite the staff reduction, U.N. officials emphasize their continued commitment to aid efforts amid soaring humanitarian needs.

The United Nations has announced its decision to reduce the number of international staff operating in Gaza by approximately 30 percent, citing safety and operational challenges due to ongoing Israeli military strikes. U.N. spokesman Stéphane Dujarric remarked that the situation is deteriorating, with recent assaults having resulted in significant loss of life, including that of U.N. personnel. According to Africanews, over 280 staff members have died since the conflict escalated, representing the highest number of casualties for the U.N. in any single conflict.

On March 19, an Israeli tank strike hit a U.N. compound in Deir al-Balah, killing a Bulgarian staff member and injuring several others. Dujarric confirmed the U.N.’s position, stating, “The location of this U.N. compound was well known to the parties in conflict,” indicating a critical need for a transparent investigation into the incident. Israel, however, has denied responsibility for the attack, claiming it targeted a Hamas site instead, as reported by The New York Times.

This strategic reduction in staff comes at a time when the U.N. warns that humanitarian needs in Gaza are soaring, with calls for immediate ceasefires and protection of civilians from continued violence. Dujarric asserted that the U.N. is not leaving Gaza but is merely implementing precautionary measures to ensure the safety of its workers, significantly reducing its international presence to around 70 individuals from a total of 100.

Despite this reduction, the U.N. maintains a substantial number of national staff—around 13,000—who remain engaged in essential humanitarian operations, as highlighted by Los Angeles Times. However, the precarious security situation limits their efficacy in providing aid, further exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in the region.

Continued international efforts are underway to restore ceasefire agreements, with Egypt proposing new diplomatic measures; however, violence remains unabated, underscoring the urgent need for solutions to alleviate the dire conditions of civilians trapped in the conflict.