A foreign United Nations worker was killed and five others seriously injured in central Gaza on Wednesday, as conflicting accounts emerged over whether an Israeli strike had hit a UN compound. The Gaza Health Ministry, controlled by Hamas, reported that the casualties resulted from an Israeli attack on a UN facility, while the Israeli military denied any involvement.
Footage from Deir El Balah showed UN-marked vehicles and ambulances rushing the wounded to Al Aqsa Martyrs Hospital. The victims included UN staff, with some seen wearing bulletproof vests and one donning a United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) T-shirt.
Despite the Gaza Health Ministry’s claims, the Israeli military dismissed the reports, stating that no Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) operation or strike had targeted a UN site in Deir El Balah. “Contrary to reports, the IDF did not strike a UN compound,” an army spokesperson told AFP.
The attack occurred amid escalating violence, with Gaza’s civil defense agency reporting 13 deaths from Israeli airstrikes since midnight. The latest bombardments follow a devastating wave of attacks on Monday night, marking one of the deadliest assaults since the fragile ceasefire was established on January 19.
According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, the overnight strikes killed more than 400 people, contributing to a staggering increase in casualties. In just 48 hours, the official death toll of the ongoing war surged from 48,577 to 49,547.
The relentless conflict, which erupted after Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, continues to exact a heavy toll on civilians. As diplomatic efforts to broker peace falter, the humanitarian crisis deepens, leaving Gaza’s population trapped in a cycle of devastation and uncertainty.