Israel detains and interrogates senior UN official after visit to Gaza

Israel detained and interrogated this Tuesday (12) for around 45 minutes the UN Under-Secretary-General for Security and Protection, Gilles Michaud, after his arrival at Ben Gurion Airport, near Tel Aviv.

According to information released by the Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth, the United Nations official was questioned about an official visit carried out to the Gaza Strip in August 2025, previously coordinated with the Israeli authorities themselves.

Michaud, a Canadian citizen responsible for security at UN operations around the world, had his passport confiscated during security procedures at the airport before being taken to a waiting room and interrogated by the Shin Bet, Israel’s internal security service.

According to the Israeli newspaper, authorities in the country later claimed that the episode occurred due to a “case of mistaken identity” and stated that the diplomat was released shortly afterwards, without formal charges.

After the incident, Gilles Michaud classified the treatment received as “unusual” for a senior United Nations official and said he had never faced a similar situation in other countries.

According to the report from Yedioth Ahronothhe even considered canceling official commitments planned in Israel.

The episode occurs amid deepening tensions between Israel and international organizations over the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip.

The UN and several humanitarian agencies have been denouncing Israeli restrictions on the entry of aid, attacks against humanitarian workers and obstacles imposed on international missions operating in Palestinian territory.

The Gaza Strip has remained at the center of United Nations debates since the beginning of the Israeli offensive launched after the events of October 7, 2023. According to Palestinian authorities cited in the reports, more than 72,000 Palestinians have died and around 172,000 have been injured since the start of the war.

Although a ceasefire agreement came into force in October 2025, Palestinian authorities and humanitarian organizations continue to denounce the Zionist state of carrying out daily attacks and maintaining severe restrictions on the entry of humanitarian aid into the enclave.
The UN has also repeatedly warned of worsening humanitarian conditions in Gaza, marked by the destruction of infrastructure, shortages of food and medicine and the collapse of the local health system.