A spokesperson for the United Nations announced today, Friday, that Israel informed the international organization that it would not renew the visa of the senior official coordinating humanitarian affairs in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. Lynn Hastings, a Canadian-born veteran UN official, has held the position of Deputy Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process and UN Humanitarian Coordinator for the occupied Palestinian territories for nearly three years.
UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric told reporters, "Israeli authorities have informed us that they will not renew Ms. Hastings' visa after its expiration later this month." He mentioned that UN staff do not remain in any country after their visas expire but emphasized that UN Secretary-General António Guterres has complete confidence in Hastings. Dujarric did not mention whether Hastings would be replaced.
A spokesperson for the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs accused the UN of bias, stating that the organization's response to the October 7th attack by Hamas fighters is "shameful." He added, "That is why Israel has decided to review each visa issued to UN representatives individually."
At the end of October, the Israeli Foreign Ministry accused Hastings in a social media post of not being neutral and objective, a claim that the UN rejected. Dujarric stated, "You have witnessed some public attacks on her on Twitter, which is totally unacceptable." He added, "Direct personal attacks on UN staff anywhere in the world are unacceptable and endanger individuals' lives."
Guterres warned the UN Security Council on Wednesday that the Gaza Strip is facing an "epic humanitarian disaster." According to figures from Palestinian health authorities, which are considered reliable by the UN, over 15,000 people, nearly 40 percent of whom are under 18, have been confirmed killed. There are fears that many others may be buried under the rubble.
