UN chief ‘saddened and shocked’ at death of staff member amid deadly attacks in central Gaza

GAZA — The Israeli army’s ground operation in the central Gaza Strip constitutes a “serious violation” of the ceasefire agreement, Hamas said on March 19, accusing the United States of providing cover for the military maneuvers.

Sami Abu Zuhri, a senior Hamas official, said in a press statement that “the advance of Israeli military vehicles toward the Netzarim Corridor, and the isolation of northern Gaza from the south undermines the ceasefire agreement with US support”, calling on mediators to take responsibility for the situation.

He added that Hamas and other Palestinian factions “are prepared to respond to this move”, hinting at the possibility of resuming attacks against Israel.

Regarding ongoing negotiations, Abu Zuhri stated that “there is no progress in contacts with mediators because the occupation refuses to engage in negotiations”.

He reaffirmed that Hamas “will not release the Israeli prisoners unless the occupation commits to ending hostilities, fully withdraws from Gaza, and lifts the blockade on the Strip”.

Israel launched a “targeted ground operation” in central and southern Gaza, aiming to create a buffer zone between the northern and southern parts of the Palestinian enclave, the military said in a statement on March 19.

The military said that during the operation, Israeli troops “took control and re-established their presence up to the center of the Netzarim Corridor,” a military buffer zone established by Israeli soldiers in central Gaza during the war.

Before the renewed ground aggression into Gaza, Israel has been bombing buildings in Gaza, killing more than 460 people, according to Palestine health authorities.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has been “deeply saddened and shocked” by the death of a UN staff member during the Israeli bombing in Gaza, condemning all attacks on UN personnel and calling for a full investigation, his spokesman said on March 19.

A United Nations Office for Project Services worker was killed and five others seriously injured after two UN guesthouses in Deir al Balah, central Gaza, were hit in the strikes, the UN and Gaza-based health authorities confirmed. The Israeli military denied attacking the compound.

Farhan Haq, deputy spokesman for the UN secretary-general, said the parties to the conflict know the locations of all UN premises. They are bound by international law to protect them, he said.

Guterres strongly condemned all attacks on UN personnel and called for a full investigation.

“The Secretary-General stresses the need for the ceasefire to be respected to bring an end to the suffering of the people. Humanitarian aid must reach all people in need. The hostages must be released immediately and unconditionally,” the spokesman added.

The March 19 deadly strike has brought the number of UN personnel killed in Gaza since Oct 7, 2023, to at least 280, according to the UN spokesman.

Meanwhile, a new round of US airstrikes struck Yemen’s capital Sanaa on March 19 evening, wounding at least nine people, including seven women and two children, according to Houthi-run al-Masirah TV.

The strikes targeted a building under construction in Sanaa’s Geraf neighborhood, damaging nearby residential structures and injuring civilians sheltering in an adjacent building, the channel reported.

US strikes on the area over the weekend killed 53 people and wounded 98, including women and children, according to Houthi-controlled health authorities.

The strikes also expanded to other regions, with Houthi-controlled areas in governorates such as Saada, al-Bayda, Hodeidah and al-Jawf reportedly hit.

The Houthis, who control northern Yemen, claimed earlier on March 19 that they had launched cruise missiles at the USS Harry Truman in the Red Sea, calling it their fourth such attack in 72 hours.

The group said its maritime strikes target only Israeli-linked vessels to pressure Israel to halt its Gaza offensive and allow humanitarian aid into the Palestinian enclave.

The US, which began strikes on Houthi targets on March 15, said the campaign aims to protect international shipping lanes.

US President Donald Trump warned the Houthis on March 15 to cease attacks or face intensified consequences, declaring, “Hell will rain down upon you like nothing you have ever seen before.”