Outrage in Israel as UN Official Loses Visa Over Gaza War Criticism

Israel has refused to renew the visa of a top United Nations official over his Gaza war comments.

Jonathan Whittall, the head of the UN humanitarian office (OCHA) in Israel, faces expulsion from the country.

He had said earlier this year that Gazans were “slowly dying” due to Israel’s actions.

On Sunday, July 20, 2025, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar announced the decision on social media.

He accused Whittall of spreading false narratives about the war and breaking the UN’s neutrality rules.

“I have instructed not to extend the residency permit of the head of the OCHA office,” Saar wrote.

He claimed Whittall had shown biased and hostile conduct and distorted the situation on the ground.

Whittall, a South African citizen, lives in Jerusalem and often visits Gaza. He has regularly spoken out against the humanitarian crisis there.

Currently, more than two million people live in Gaza under siege. Most face daily struggles for food, medicine, and fuel.

Earlier this month, UN agencies warned that fuel supplies were at “critical levels.” Without fuel, emergency services and aid delivery have slowed drastically.

For example, in Rafah, people now rely on animal-drawn carts for transport. Broken vehicles lie abandoned due to fuel scarcity.

Since the war began in October 2023, Israel has increased pressure on UN agencies.

It has made visa approvals more difficult for staff from OCHA, the UN human rights office, and UNRWA.

These restrictions have sparked concern among global human rights groups.

Many see the move as part of a larger attempt to silence international observers.

Critics argue that Israel wants to control how the world sees its war in Gaza. By removing officials like Whittall, the government avoids external scrutiny.

Furthermore, the UN has warned that blocking humanitarian staff only worsens the crisis.

Aid groups now face even more obstacles in reaching those in need.

Although the UN has not yet issued a formal response, tensions continue to grow.

This latest action could damage already fragile cooperation between Israel and global aid agencies.

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