UNITED NATIONS, March 25. /TASS/. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, in light of the ongoing Israeli strikes and the suspension of humanitarian aid deliveries to the Gaza Strip, has decided to reduce the number of UN personnel present in the enclave, spokesperson for the United Nations Secretary-General Stephane Dujarric announced at a press briefing.
"The Secretary-General has taken the difficult decision to reduce the Organization’s footprint in Gaza, even as humanitarian needs soar and our concern over the protection of civilians intensifies," the statement said.
The spokesperson emphasized that "the UN is not leaving Gaza." "The organization remains committed to continuing to provide aid that civilians depend on for their survival and protection," he stressed.
On March 18, the Israeli army resumed military operations in Gaza, launching mass strikes against the enclave and thereby interrupting the ceasefire established in January 2025. The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu explained this was due to Hamas rejecting proposals put forward during negotiations mediated by US President’s special envoy Steve Witkoff, stating that the goal of the operation in Gaza was the release of all hostages. The radicals placed the responsibility for the resumption of hostilities on Israel and the United States.