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IDF Admits Responsibility for Shelling UN Guest House in Gaza

Israeli military reverses initial denial, citing misidentification of the facility in March strike that killed one and injured six international aid workers.

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A United Nations building in Gaza on Wednesday, March 19,  after being struck by what one official called and "explosive ordnance."

Overview

  • The IDF acknowledged that its tank fire struck a UNOPS guest house in Deir al-Balah, Gaza, on March 19, killing Bulgarian aid worker Marin Marinov and injuring six others.
  • Initial IDF statements denied any involvement, but the military reversed its position following internal investigations and external munitions analysis.
  • The strike was attributed to an 'assessed enemy presence,' with Israeli forces failing to recognize the building as a UN facility despite its registered status.
  • The United Nations temporarily evacuated 30 international staffers from Gaza following the incident, citing ongoing safety concerns for its personnel.
  • The IDF has expressed regret for the incident and is conducting a full internal review, with findings to be shared with UN officials in the coming days.