Daijiworld Media Network- Tel Aviv
Tel Aviv, Apr 25: In a significant reversal of its earlier stance, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on Thursday admitted that its troops were responsible for the March 19 tank strike that killed a United Nations staff member in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza. The revelation comes after initial IDF denials that their forces had targeted the UN compound.
According to the preliminary findings released by the IDF, the building was mistakenly identified as harboring enemy combatants, leading to the fatal strike. The statement acknowledged that the structure was not recognized as a UN facility at the time of the attack.
"The IDF regrets this serious incident and continues to conduct thorough review processes to draw operational lessons and evaluate additional measures to prevent such events in the future," the military said, extending condolences to the family of the victim.
The deceased, Marin Valev Marinov, a Bulgarian national working with the UN, was killed when a UN-operated guesthouse came under fire. Five other UN personnel were seriously injured in the strike, which came a day after hostilities reignited following the collapse of a two-month ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
At the time, the UN Secretary-General António Guterres had strongly condemned the attack and demanded a full investigation. UN officials reiterated that the coordinates of all UN premises had been shared with parties to the conflict and should have been respected in line with international humanitarian law.
The UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS) had described the incident as “not an accident”, pointing to the targeted nature of the attack on an isolated facility known to house UN staff.
Notably, on the day of the incident, the IDF had issued a categorical denial, stating: “Contrary to reports, the IDF did not strike a UN compound in Deir el-Balah.” However, video evidence verified by the BBC showed UN vehicles and injured staff members—some wearing blue UN flak jackets—being rushed to medical facilities.
This incident is not isolated. Earlier this week, the IDF also admitted to “professional failures” that led to the deaths of 15 emergency workers in a separate attack within Gaza.
The developments have drawn renewed global attention to the mounting toll of the ongoing conflict. According to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry, over 51,300 people have been killed since the Israeli military launched its campaign in response to the October 7 Hamas attack, which killed 1,200 Israelis and led to the kidnapping of 251 others.
Currently, Israel is believed to be pressuring Hamas to release the remaining 59 hostages, with only 24 thought to still be alive. Meanwhile, a seven-week blockade on humanitarian aid has left Gaza’s population teetering on the brink of collapse, with the UN warning that civilians are being “deprived of the means for survival.”
The international community continues to call for restraint and accountability, as the humanitarian crisis deepens and questions around civilian protection in conflict zones grow more urgent.