Tel aviv: Israel on Tuesday morning briefly detained and interrogated a senior United Nations official at Ben Gurion Airport over an official visit he made to the Gaza Strip last year. The incident involved Gilles Michaud, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Safety and Security, who was held by the Shin Bet, Israel's internal security agency, upon his arrival.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency, Michaud was detained for approximately 45 minutes and questioned about a previously coordinated official visit to Gaza in August 2025. During the security checks, Michaud's passports were confiscated, and he was subsequently moved to a waiting area, which Israeli officials described as 'embarrassing for Israel'.
Following the incident, Michaud expressed that the treatment was 'unusual' for a senior UN official, noting that he had not experienced similar conduct in other countries. As a result of the situation, Michaud planned to cancel his official meetings in Israel.
The incident occurs amidst rising tensions between Israeli authorities and UN officials over the situation in Gaza, including issues related to humanitarian access and international criticism of the actions of Israeli forces. The conflict in Gaza has resulted in significant casualties and destruction, with over 72,000 Palestinians killed and 172,000 injured since October 2023, and a reconstruction cost estimated at $70 billion.