The Israeli military has officially acknowledged that its troops were responsible for the death of a United Nations staff member in the Gaza Strip, an event that has raised serious concerns regarding the safety of international humanitarian personnel amidst ongoing conflict.
Military Acknowledges Fatal Shooting of UN Worker in Gaza
Military Acknowledges Fatal Shooting of UN Worker in Gaza
Israeli Defense Forces confirm incident previously denied, fueling calls for accountability and protection of humanitarian workers.
Israeli military spokesman admitted on Thursday that preliminary findings revealed they mistakenly targeted the UN compound in Deir al-Balah, identifying it as containing “enemy presence,” despite first denying any involvement. The incident, which occurred on March 19, resulted in the death of Bulgarian UN worker Marin Valev Marinov and left five others injured.
Initially, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) had claimed they had not struck any UN facilities, but they later recanted after further investigation. "The building was struck due to assessed enemy presence and was not identified by the forces as a UN facility," the IDF stated, expressing deep regret and condolences to Marinov's family. The military has committed to conducting a thorough review to evaluate operational measures to prevent future occurrences.
The UN Secretary General António Guterres has called for a comprehensive investigation into the incident, emphasizing that all UN facilities should be protected under international law. Following the attack, the UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS) indicated that the strike was not an accident, as the location of their premises is well-known to all conflict parties.
This tragic event comes against a backdrop of escalating violence in Gaza, where a renewed military offensive by Israel has reportedly led to heavy civilian casualties since the collapse of a ceasefire two months ago. The Hamas-run health ministry estimates that around 1,978 people have died in Gaza as a result of the conflict's intensification since October 7, 2023, when an unprecedented cross-border attack by Hamas resulted in significant casualties and hostages taken.
Over seven weeks, Israel has blocked all humanitarian aid deliveries to Gaza, exacerbating the already dire situation for civilians as the international community calls for immediate action and accountability in light of this tragic incident involving UN personnel.
Initially, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) had claimed they had not struck any UN facilities, but they later recanted after further investigation. "The building was struck due to assessed enemy presence and was not identified by the forces as a UN facility," the IDF stated, expressing deep regret and condolences to Marinov's family. The military has committed to conducting a thorough review to evaluate operational measures to prevent future occurrences.
The UN Secretary General António Guterres has called for a comprehensive investigation into the incident, emphasizing that all UN facilities should be protected under international law. Following the attack, the UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS) indicated that the strike was not an accident, as the location of their premises is well-known to all conflict parties.
This tragic event comes against a backdrop of escalating violence in Gaza, where a renewed military offensive by Israel has reportedly led to heavy civilian casualties since the collapse of a ceasefire two months ago. The Hamas-run health ministry estimates that around 1,978 people have died in Gaza as a result of the conflict's intensification since October 7, 2023, when an unprecedented cross-border attack by Hamas resulted in significant casualties and hostages taken.
Over seven weeks, Israel has blocked all humanitarian aid deliveries to Gaza, exacerbating the already dire situation for civilians as the international community calls for immediate action and accountability in light of this tragic incident involving UN personnel.
