British bomb disposal expert injured in an explosion at a United Nations facility in the Gaza Strip, according to the charity he works for.
The 51-year-old, whose identity has not been revealed, was one of five people hurt in the blast that also claimed the life of a UN worker at a facility in Deir al-Balah on Wednesday morning, the Mines Advisory Group reported.
Farhan Haq, deputy spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, stated that a thorough investigation into the incident is necessary.
The Israeli military has rejected claims that it targeted the UN compound and insisted that the explosion was not caused by Israeli forces.
Earlier, Israel confirmed that it had resumed military actions in Gaza after a two-month ceasefire, launching airstrikes that, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry, killed over 400 people.
The injured British expert is part of the Manchester-based mine clearance charity, working as an explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) specialist. Darren Cormack, the charity’s chief executive, confirmed that the man was conducting an explosive hazard assessment at a UNOPS building at the time of the explosion.
Initially treated in Gaza, the injured man was later transferred to an Israeli hospital, Cormack added.
“The UN has confirmed that the incident did not occur during normal EOD operations and was caused by ordnance fired at or dropped on the building,” Cormack said. “It is deeply disturbing that a humanitarian facility has been targeted and that workers are being harmed while doing their jobs. Attacking humanitarian premises is a violation of international law.”
Oren Marmorstein, a spokesman for the Israeli Foreign Ministry, said on social media that investigations into the incident were underway, adding that an initial review found no link to Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) activities.
Gaza’s health ministry accused an Israeli strike of being responsible for the attack.
Farhan Haq from the UN reiterated the need for military operations to be conducted in a manner that respects and protects civilians.
Jorge Moreira da Silva, head of UNOPS, called the explosion “not an accident,” emphasizing that the situation in Gaza is “unconscionable.”
The ongoing conflict in Gaza began after Hamas launched an attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, killing around 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. In retaliation, Israel launched a large-scale military operation that, according to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry, has claimed more than 48,500 Palestinian lives and left widespread destruction across the region.
In response to the renewed violence, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer urged for restraint during a phone call with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Wednesday night. A Downing Street spokesperson confirmed that the Prime Minister expressed grave concerns over the return of hostilities and called for Israeli restraint.
Frequently asked questions
1. Who is the British bomb disposal expert injured in Gaza?
The 51-year-old British bomb disposal expert, whose name has not been revealed, works for the Mines Advisory Group (MAG), a charity based in Manchester. He was injured in an explosion at a UN facility in Gaza.
2. What happened in the explosion at the UN facility in Gaza?
The explosion took place at a UN facility in Deir al-Balah, Gaza, on Wednesday morning. The blast injured five people, including the British bomb disposal expert, and killed a UN worker. The expert was conducting an explosive hazard assessment at the time of the explosion.
3. What caused the explosion?
There are conflicting reports about the cause of the explosion. The Israeli military has denied that it targeted the UN facility, stating that Israeli fire was not involved. However, Gaza’s health ministry has blamed an Israeli airstrike for the attack. The UN has confirmed that the incident was not part of normal explosive ordnance disposal operations and may have been caused by ordnance being dropped on the building.
4. What happened to the injured British expert?
The British bomb disposal expert was initially treated in Gaza but was later transferred to a hospital in Israel for further treatment.
5. What is the stance of the Israeli government regarding the explosion?
The Israeli government has denied any connection to the incident, stating that their initial investigation found no link to Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) activities. They emphasized that the circumstances of the incident are still being investigated.
6. What is the UN’s response to the attack?
The UN condemned the attack, stressing that attacks on humanitarian facilities and workers are violations of international law. The UN also called for investigations into the incident and emphasized the need to protect civilians during military operations.
7. What caused the ongoing conflict in Gaza?
The conflict in Gaza began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched an attack on Israel, killing around 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. Israel then launched a military offensive in response, which has caused significant casualties and destruction, with over 48,500 Palestinians reported killed.
8. What has the UK government said about the situation?
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer expressed concern about the resumption of fighting in Gaza. In a phone conversation with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Starmer urged for restraint and emphasized the importance of protecting civilians.
9. What is the international law regarding attacks on humanitarian workers?
Attacks on humanitarian workers and facilities are considered violations of international law, specifically under the Geneva Conventions, which call for the protection of civilians and humanitarian aid workers during conflicts.
10. How are international bodies responding to the crisis in Gaza?
Various international organizations, including the UN, are calling for investigations into attacks on humanitarian workers and facilities. They are also urging all parties involved in the conflict to respect international law and ensure the protection of civilians.
By – newzscoop