In a diplomatic incident that has sparked conversation regarding the treatment of international officials, Gilles Michaud, the United Nations under-secretary-general for safety and security, was briefly detained by Israeli authorities upon his arrival at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv this past Tuesday.
According to reports from the daily Yedioth Ahronoth, Michaud was held for approximately 45 minutes. During the detention, he was interrogated by the Shin Bet internal security agency. The questioning reportedly centered on an official visit Michaud had made to Gaza in August 2025—a trip that had been coordinated with Israeli authorities in advance. During the security process, his passport was confiscated before he was moved to a waiting area for questioning.
The experience left Michaud unsettled. Describing the treatment as unusual for a high-ranking UN official, he subsequently decided to cancel his planned meetings in Israel. He noted that throughout his career with the United Nations, he had not encountered similar behavior from authorities in other countries.
Israeli officials have since characterized the situation as a case of mistaken identity, asserting that Michaud was released shortly after the confusion was cleared.
On Wednesday, UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq confirmed that the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs had issued an apology, attributing the incident to human error. Haq clarified that the purpose of Michaud's visit to Jerusalem was to discuss critical obligations regarding the safety of UN personnel operating in Gaza, the West Bank, and the surrounding region.
The incident occurs against a backdrop of prolonged instability in the Gaza Strip. Since October 2023, the region has seen devastating losses, with over 72,000 deaths and more than 172,000 injuries. While a ceasefire agreement took effect on October 10 last year, Palestinian officials report that daily strikes and strict restrictions on humanitarian aid continue to plague the region, making the safety of UN personnel a priority for the international community.
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Israel briefly detains senior UN official at Tel Aviv airport
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