BRUSSELS / UNOPS GAZA PRESS ENCOUNTER

One staff of United Nations Office for Project Service (UNOPS) has been killed in a detonation in Deir al Balah, Gaza. “In my opinion, it cannot be categorized as an accident. It is at least an incident,” Jorge Moreira da Silva, UNOPS Executive Director said. UNRIC BRUSSELS

• Video Length: 00:03:15
• Production Date: 19 March 2025
• Asset Language: English
• Corporate Name: UNITED NATIONS OFFICE FOR PROJECT SERVICES - UNOPS
• Subject Topical: DEATH
• Geographic Subject: GAZA
• MAMS Id: 3352527
• Parent Id: 3352527
• Alternate Title: unifeed250319d

Description

STORY: BRUSSELS / UNOPS GAZA PRESS ENCOUNTER
TRT: 3:15
SOURCE: UNRIC BRUSSELS
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGAUGE: ENGLISH / NATS

DATELINE: 19 MARCH 2025, BRUSSELS, BULGIUM

Shotlist

1. Wide shot, podium with microphones
2. SOUNDBITE (English) Jorge Moreira da Silva, UNOPS Executive Director:
“In my opinion, this was not an accident. It cannot be categorized as an accident. It is at least an incident. What is happening in Gaza is unconscionable. I'm shocked. I am shocked and devastated by this tragic news.”
3. Med shot, reporters
4.SOUNDBITE (English) Jorge Moreira da Silva, UNOPS Executive Director:
“It is understood that this UNOPS premises was hit at 11:30 am this morning. Today's incident follows strikes yesterday, but also two days ago. Two days ago, there was a near miss to this premises, Monday. And yesterday the premises was hit and today there was another hit, unfortunately with some casualties.”
5. Med shot, reporters
6. SOUNDBITE (English) Jorge Moreira da Silva, UNOPS Executive Director:
“These premises were well known by the Israeli Defense Forces and they were they conflicted.”
7. Med shot, reporters
8. SOUNDBITE (English) Jorge Moreira da Silva, UNOPS Executive Director:
“There is no confirmation at this stage to the nature of the of the incident. But I want to stress that this location was in the isolated area. There were no other buildings nearby. It was a very well-known premise and it was in the isolated area in Deir Al-Balah.”
9. Med shot, reporters
10. SOUNDBITE (English) Jorge Moreira da Silva, UNOPS Executive Director:
“What we do know is that an explosive ordnance was dropped or fired at the infrastructure and detonated inside the building. We don't know at this stage what type it was. We don't know if it was an airdrop weapon, if it was artillery or a rocket. I cannot provide this information as you can imagine, we are contacting our colleagues. Most of them are in shock with difficulties to provide testimony. But as you know, we are doing all the investigations with the colleagues that have their specific responsibilities within the UN in this area. It should be stressed that it was not through any action removing unexploded ordnance at the location.”
11. Med shot, reporters
12. SOUNDBITE (English) Jorge Moreira da Silva, UNOPS Executive Director:
“We remain committed despite the awful situation, and I really hope, I really hope that we can go back to the ceasefire. I saw the importance of the ceasefire when I visited Gaza a few days ago, seeing the provision of aid reaching those most in need.”
13. Wide shot, Da Silva leaving the presser

Storyline

One staff of United Nations Office for Project Service (UNOPS) has been killed in a detonation in Deir al Balah, Gaza. “In my opinion, it cannot be categorized as an accident. It is at least an incident,” Jorge Moreira da Silva, UNOPS Executive Director said.

Speaking to reporters today (19 Mar) in Brussels, the UNOPS chief said,” What is happening in Gaza is unconscionable. I'm shocked. I am shocked and devastated by this tragic news.”

It is understood that UNOPS accommodation was hit at approximately 11:30 am this morning. Today’s incident follows strikes yesterday causing damage to the premises, the location of which had already been deconflicted with the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), Da Silva said.

It is also understood that there are at least five additional casualties, several of whom are very severely injured.

The UNOPS Executive Director also said, “There is no confirmation at this stage to the nature of the of the incident,” stressing that this location was in the isolated area.

“There were no other buildings nearby. It was a very well-known premise and it was in the isolated area in Deir Al-Balah,” he reiterated.

UNOPS Director da Silva said that although UNOPS is involved in mine action and the clearing of mines in Gaza, the explosion was not related to any activity to do with mine action. He stressed that this incident was related to “exploded ordnance that was dropped or fired”.

“We don’t know at this stage what type it was, whether it was an airdrop, artillery or rocket,” he said, adding that UNOPS is in contact with colleagues on the ground to investigate further. “Most of them are in shock, with difficulties to provide testimony.”

The premises include guest houses where visiting UN staff members, including heads of UN agencies, have stayed during visits to Gaza.

The UNOPS Executive Director expressed his sincere condolences to all those affected and their families on behalf of the UN family. The nationality of the deceased has not yet been released. UNOPS was working to urgently evacuate the seriously injured personnel.

UNOPS works in Gaza to procure and distribute fuel, and it facilitates the distribution of aid into Gaza.

The UNOPS Executive Director reiterated, “We remain committed despite the awful situation, and I really hope, I really hope that we can go back to the ceasefire. I saw the importance of the ceasefire when I visited Gaza a few days ago, seeing the provision of aid reaching those most in need.”

In a statement from UNOPS, it is said further information will be shared when details are available.