Statement by the UN Development Program on the shelling of the United Nations compound in Gaza City
East Jerusalem, November 11, 2023 – The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) is deeply concerned by preliminary reports of shelling of the UN compound in Gaza City, which was managed by the UNDP Assistance Program for the Palestinian People, until October 13, when UN staff left the compound .
The shelling reportedly resulted in a significant number of deaths and injuries.
On November 6, UNDP reported that several hundred people seeking refuge had entered the site, and there is evidence that this number has increased significantly since then.
The ongoing tragedy of death and injury to civilians caught up in this conflict is unacceptable and must end.
Civilians, civilian infrastructure and the inviolability of UN facilities must be respected and protected at all times. International humanitarian law, including the principles of distinction, proportionality and precaution, must be respected and upheld.
The UNDP assistance program for the Palestinian people was established by a UN General Assembly resolution of December 20, 1978, which called on UNDP to “improve the economic and social conditions of the Palestinian people.” We have been working in Gaza since 1989.
For further information please contact:
Dylan Lowthian: UNDP Head of Media Relations [email protected] Tel: +1646 673 6350
Musa Khalil: Head of Communications UNDP – PAPP [email protected] Tel: +972 6268200, Mobile: +972 5748761.
Further information about UNDP/PAPP can be found at www.ps.undp.org