A foreign worker of the United Nations was killed in an Israeli attack on the Gaza Strip on Wednesday. This was reported by the Ministry of Health of the Gaza Strip, which is controlled by Hamas, designated as a terrorist organisation by the EU.
Five other foreign UN workers are said to have been seriously injured. The nationality of the workers was not disclosed.
Israel denies responsibility for the attack.
Footage from AFPTV from Deir al-Balah shows three men being taken to hospital by ambulance and UN vehicles. Two of them were injured in their legs, the third had bandages around both arms and his stomach. There were also traces of blood on his chest.
Two of the injured people were wearing bulletproof vests, the third wore a shirt with the inscription UNMAS, the United Nations Mine Action Service.
Israel denies any involvement. "Contrary to information that was circulated, the Israeli army did not attack a UN building in Deir al-Balah," the statement said. A spokesperson added that there was "no operational activity" by the army in the area.
At a briefing with the Executive Director of UNOPS (UN Office for Project Services), Jorge Moreira da Silva, in Brussels on Wednesday afternoon, UNOPS stated that at this stage, there is no confirmation as to the nature of the incident, but that the location is isolated.
"What we do know is that an explosive ordnance was dropped or fired at the infrastructure and detonated inside the building. We do not know at this stage what type it was (airdrop weapons, artillery, rocket)," they said. It should be stressed that it was not through any action removing unexploded ordnance at the location.
"This was not an accident, this was an incident. What’s happening in Gaza is unconscionable," Moreira da Silva said. "I am shocked and devastated by this tragic news. I saw the absolute dedication of our team in Gaza last month. They and other UN workers and premises should never be targeted. My sincere condolences to all those affected."
Update: This article was updated to include a statement by UNOPS.
