The IDF conducts an internal investigation following the death of a Bulgarian UN employee during an airstrike, which raises significant concerns over military operations targeting civilian areas.
Israeli Forces Acknowledge Killing of UN Worker in Gaza Incident
Israeli Forces Acknowledge Killing of UN Worker in Gaza Incident
The Israeli military confirms that its tank fire mistakenly killed a UN worker in Gaza, contradicting prior denials of responsibility.
The article text:
In a significant turn of events, the Israeli military has acknowledged that its forces killed a United Nations (UN) worker in the Gaza Strip through tank fire, a reversal from its earlier denials regarding the incident that took place last month. The tragic event occurred on March 19, when the UN compound located in Deir al-Balah sustained damage, resulting in the death of UN staff member Marin Valev Marinov and injuries to several others.
Initially, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) denied they had targeted the facility. However, a recent statement acknowledged that preliminary findings of an internal investigation concluded that the troops had mistakenly identified the UN compound as a site harboring an "enemy presence." The IDF expressed regret over the incident, stating, "The building was struck due to assessed enemy presence and was not identified by the forces as a UN facility." The military promised to share further findings with the UN and is undertaking extensive reviews to avert similar occurrences in the future. "We express our deep sorrow for the loss and send our condolences to the family," the IDF added.
This incident occurred shortly after Israel renewed its aggressive military operations against Hamas, following a two-month ceasefire that collapsed earlier that month. UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called for an exhaustive investigation into the matter, emphasizing that the precise locations of UN facilities are well-known to those involved in the conflict, and international law mandates their protection.
In response to the attack, the UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS) condemned the act, stating that "explosive ordnance was dropped or fired" at a guesthouse in a "isolated" area, with its executive director, Jorge Moreira da Silva, asserting that it was "not an accident." Following the initial reports of the attack, the IDF refuted claims of striking the UN compound, urging media outlets to ensure the verification of their reports before publishing.
Meanwhile, the ongoing conflict in Gaza has escalated, with anti-Hamas protests rising within the territory. Recent statements from Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry reported at least 1,978 fatalities since the escalation in Israeli military action, with reports of 50 deaths from Israeli airstrikes occurring just yesterday. The Israeli military's campaign aims to exert pressure on Hamas to release 59 hostages currently held, with reports suggesting that 24 of these hostages are still alive.
The current military operations have been characterized by severe humanitarian crises, with the UN warning that Israel's blockade of humanitarian aid for over seven weeks is exacerbating the dire situation for civilians, undermining all essential aspects of life in the region. The campaign to dismantle Hamas was launched in retaliation for an unprecedented cross-border attack on October 7, 2023, which resulted in 1,200 casualties and the hostage-taking of 251 individuals. Since the onset of military actions, Gaza's health ministry has reported the deaths of over 51,300 individuals.
In a significant turn of events, the Israeli military has acknowledged that its forces killed a United Nations (UN) worker in the Gaza Strip through tank fire, a reversal from its earlier denials regarding the incident that took place last month. The tragic event occurred on March 19, when the UN compound located in Deir al-Balah sustained damage, resulting in the death of UN staff member Marin Valev Marinov and injuries to several others.
Initially, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) denied they had targeted the facility. However, a recent statement acknowledged that preliminary findings of an internal investigation concluded that the troops had mistakenly identified the UN compound as a site harboring an "enemy presence." The IDF expressed regret over the incident, stating, "The building was struck due to assessed enemy presence and was not identified by the forces as a UN facility." The military promised to share further findings with the UN and is undertaking extensive reviews to avert similar occurrences in the future. "We express our deep sorrow for the loss and send our condolences to the family," the IDF added.
This incident occurred shortly after Israel renewed its aggressive military operations against Hamas, following a two-month ceasefire that collapsed earlier that month. UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called for an exhaustive investigation into the matter, emphasizing that the precise locations of UN facilities are well-known to those involved in the conflict, and international law mandates their protection.
In response to the attack, the UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS) condemned the act, stating that "explosive ordnance was dropped or fired" at a guesthouse in a "isolated" area, with its executive director, Jorge Moreira da Silva, asserting that it was "not an accident." Following the initial reports of the attack, the IDF refuted claims of striking the UN compound, urging media outlets to ensure the verification of their reports before publishing.
Meanwhile, the ongoing conflict in Gaza has escalated, with anti-Hamas protests rising within the territory. Recent statements from Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry reported at least 1,978 fatalities since the escalation in Israeli military action, with reports of 50 deaths from Israeli airstrikes occurring just yesterday. The Israeli military's campaign aims to exert pressure on Hamas to release 59 hostages currently held, with reports suggesting that 24 of these hostages are still alive.
The current military operations have been characterized by severe humanitarian crises, with the UN warning that Israel's blockade of humanitarian aid for over seven weeks is exacerbating the dire situation for civilians, undermining all essential aspects of life in the region. The campaign to dismantle Hamas was launched in retaliation for an unprecedented cross-border attack on October 7, 2023, which resulted in 1,200 casualties and the hostage-taking of 251 individuals. Since the onset of military actions, Gaza's health ministry has reported the deaths of over 51,300 individuals.
