On March 19, Israeli military forces unintentionally targeted a U.N. guesthouse, resulting in the death of a Bulgarian aid worker and injuring several others, according to officials.
Israel Issues Rare Apology for Attack on U.N. Aid Workers in Gaza
Israel Issues Rare Apology for Attack on U.N. Aid Workers in Gaza
In a significant acknowledgment, Israel admits to a recent lethal strike on a U.N. compound in Gaza, which has raised safety concerns amid ongoing humanitarian crises.
Israel's military confirmed on Thursday that its forces had, in fact, attacked a United Nations guesthouse in Gaza, which led to the tragic death of a U.N. staff member and injuries to six others. The incident occurred on March 19 in the Deir al Balah region and has heightened safety concerns for aid workers operating in an area already desperate for humanitarian assistance. In response to the attack, U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres mandated the withdrawal of one-third of the U.N.'s international personnel from Gaza.
This admission marks the second such acknowledgment in a week, reflecting a rare recognition by Israel of wrongdoing regarding assaults on aid personnel in the Gaza Strip, a conflict space deemed the most perilous for humanitarian workers in the history of the United Nations. Initially, Israel refuted claims of responsibility for the attack, with its U.N. mission asserting an investigation found no link to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), and instead suggesting that Hamas operatives were using U.N. facilities as cover.
However, recent statements from the Israeli military convey a tone of regret, emphasizing the seriousness of the incident. "The IDF regrets this serious incident," the military stated, promising ongoing reviews to learn from the event and implement further prevention mechanisms to avoid future occurrences.
This admission marks the second such acknowledgment in a week, reflecting a rare recognition by Israel of wrongdoing regarding assaults on aid personnel in the Gaza Strip, a conflict space deemed the most perilous for humanitarian workers in the history of the United Nations. Initially, Israel refuted claims of responsibility for the attack, with its U.N. mission asserting an investigation found no link to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), and instead suggesting that Hamas operatives were using U.N. facilities as cover.
However, recent statements from the Israeli military convey a tone of regret, emphasizing the seriousness of the incident. "The IDF regrets this serious incident," the military stated, promising ongoing reviews to learn from the event and implement further prevention mechanisms to avoid future occurrences.
