Acknowledgment of UN Aid Worker's Death in Israeli Strike Following Accusations of Falsehoods Against UN Organization
Revised Article
The Israeli military conceded yesterday that they were behind the deadly strike on a UN guesthouse in Gaza last month, backing off initial denials as mounting evidence pointed towards Israeli responsibility.
In a statement, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) admitted that tank fire from their troops was responsible for the death of Marin Marinov, a 51-year-old Bulgarian aid worker who was delivering essential supplies to Gaza's population. Six others were injured in the attack.
"Our preliminary investigation indicates that the fatality was caused by tank fire from IDF troops operating in the area," the IDF stated. The building was reportedly targeted due to an "assessed enemy presence," despite being aware that it was a UN facility.
Initially, the Israeli military denied any involvement in the strike and accused the United Nations of baseless slander. However, their story began to unravel rapidly as evidence of Israeli responsibility emerged almost immediately.
Weapons experts told CNN that the damage to the building and fragments found at the scene were consistent with Israeli tank fire. Trevor Bell, a former US Army senior explosive ordnance disposal team member, opined that the fragments were similar to the M339, an Israeli tank shell. N.R. Jenzen-Jones, director at Armament Research Services (ARES) also concluded that the remnants appeared to be from an Israeli 120 mm tank projectile.
A subsequent report by The Washington Post also suggested that two Israeli tank shells likely caused the death of Marinov and wounded five others in the strike. The Post also identified an Israeli tank position just over two miles from the guesthouse in satellite imagery captured the day before the attack. The United Nations had informed the Israeli military of the guesthouse's location, including the night before the strike.
The IDF has conducted a thorough review of the incident and expressed deep regret for the loss. According to Stéphane Dujarric, spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, there has been increased cooperation and transparency from the Israeli military in these types of incidents since the beginning of the conflict.
However, Dujarric emphasized the need for accountability, not just for this incident, but for all similar occurrences in the past. The UN is urging Israel to implement concrete policy changes to prevent future tragedies.
Interestingly, this is the second time in the past month that the Israeli military has made false statements about an attack on aid workers, only to retract them later in the face of compelling evidence. Last week, the Israeli military acknowledged mistakes that led to the attack on multiple ambulances, a fire truck, and a UN vehicle, resulting in the deaths of 15 rescue and aid workers.
Meanwhile, the ongoing conflict in Gaza continues. On Thursday, the IDF carried out a strike on a police headquarters in Jabalya, killing 10 Palestinians, according to Fares Afana, the director of emergency services in northern Gaza. The IDF maintains that the strike targeted a command and control center for Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad. A separate attack severely damaged two apartment buildings in Gaza City, killing seven Palestinians.
Reports are still emerging as the situation in Gaza remains volatile. We will continue to monitor and report on developments as they occur.
CNN's Mounira Elsamra and Mohammed Tawfeeq contributed reporting
Insights from Enrichment Data:- The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) conducted a thorough review of the incident and expressed regret for the loss of the Bulgarian aid worker and the injured individuals.- Approximately 30 international UN staff were evacuated from Gaza following the incident due to increased threat levels.- The UN is urging Israel to implement concrete policy changes to prevent future tragedies and ensure accountability in such incidents.
- The UN is urging Israel to implement concrete policy changes, not just for the UN guesthouse incident in Gaza, but for all similar occurrences in the past to prevent further tragedies.
- In the wake of the incident in Gaza, medics expressed their condolences for the loss of the Bulgarian aid worker, Marin Marinov, and the injured individuals.
- The ongoing conflict in Gaza continues, with reports of strikes on a police headquarters in Jabalya and two apartment buildings in Gaza City, resulting in several civilian casualties.
- In a statement, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) further assessed that the fatality at the UN guesthouse in Gaza was caused by tank fire from IDF troops, despite the building being a UN facility.
