A foreign United Nations (UN) worker was killed, and five others were seriously injured in Gaza on Wednesday, following an alleged Israeli strike on a UN facility, according to the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza. However, the Israeli army has denied targeting any UN building.
In a statement, Gaza’s health ministry reported that the casualties resulted from an attack on a UN institution in the central governorate, adding that the injured were transported to Al Aqsa Martyrs Hospital for treatment.
AFP has not independently verified the claims with the UN. However, AFPTV footage from Deir El Balah showed UN vehicles and an ambulance transporting three wounded men to the hospital.
The Israeli military denied the allegations, stating: “Contrary to reports, the IDF (Israeli Defense Forces) did not strike a UN compound in Deir El Balah.” An army spokesperson reiterated to AFP that there was no IDF operational activity in the area at the time.
AFPTV footage from Al Aqsa Hospital showed two men with leg injuries and a third with bandages on both arms and abdomen, with visible traces of blood on his chest. Two of the injured were seen wearing bulletproof vests, one of them with a T-shirt of the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) visible underneath.
Earlier on Wednesday, Gaza’s civil defense agency reported that 13 people had been killed in Israeli airstrikes across the Palestinian territory since midnight. These attacks come amid escalating violence in the region, following a series of intensified Israeli operations.
Between Monday night and Tuesday, Israel launched what has been described as the deadliest wave of airstrikes on Gaza since a ceasefire agreement took effect on January 19. According to the health ministry, more than 400 people were killed in the strikes, making it one of the deadliest days since the war erupted on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched an unprecedented attack on Israel.
The Gaza health ministry also updated the overall death toll from the war, reporting that 970 additional deaths had occurred in the past 48 hours. As of midday on Monday, the death toll stood at 48,577. By Wednesday, the figure had risen to 49,547.
The latest developments have further heightened tensions in the region, with international organizations calling for urgent de-escalation to prevent further civilian casualties. The situation remains fluid as both sides continue to exchange accusations over responsibility for the ongoing violence.
