In a significant development amidst ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have acknowledged that their troops mistakenly killed a United Nations (UN) worker, Marin Valev Marinov, during a bombardment on a compound in Deir al-Balah on March 19, 2023. Initially, the military denied any responsibility for the incident, which resulted in the tragic death of the Bulgarian national and left five other UN personnel injured.
Following an internal investigation, the IDF stated that their troops had misidentified the UN facility, claiming it was targeted due to an assessed "enemy presence" that was not recognized as a UN site. In their public statement, the IDF expressed regret over the incident and conveyed condolences to the victim's family, while promising to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
The incident came shortly after Israel intensified its military campaign against Hamas after a ceasefire collapsed, raising concerns about the safety of humanitarian workers in the region. UN Secretary General António Guterres previously called for a thorough investigation into the strike, emphasizing that all parties involved in the conflict are obligated under international law to protect UN locations.
The UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS), commenting on the event, noted that the compound's location was known and asserted that the "explosive ordnance" used should not have compromised the safety of UN personnel. Video footage from the scene indicated that two injured individuals were wearing blue UN flak jackets, underscoring the crisis surrounding the protection of humanitarian staff in conflict areas.
In another troubling revelation, the IDF acknowledged earlier this week that "professional failures" led to the deaths of 15 emergency workers in Gaza. The ongoing hostilities have reportedly resulted in significant casualties, with Gaza's health ministry documenting nearly 1,978 deaths since the resurgence of violence. Israeli officials contend that ongoing military actions are aimed at pressuring Hamas for the release of hostages held since a deadly cross-border attack on October 7, 2023.
As humanitarian aid has been severely restricted for over seven weeks, the UN has voiced alarm over the dire conditions faced by civilians in Gaza, urging for measures that protect essential services and uphold international law amidst escalating violence.
