Israel has initiated an investigation into the recent death of a United Nations worker in the Gaza Strip, following claims that the military was not responsible for the incident. The UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS) confirmed the death of its employee when an unexplained piece of “explosive ordnance” struck a UN facility in Deir el-Balah, resulting not only in the fatality but also in injuries to five others.
Jorge Moreira da Silva, the head of UNOPS, expressed profound shock and devastation over the loss of his colleague. He characterized the incident as anything but accidental, emphasizing that attacks on humanitarian premises constitute a clear violation of international law, necessitating the protection of UN personnel and facilities by all parties involved in the conflict.
Israeli foreign ministry spokesperson Oren Marmorstein expressed condolences regarding the death of the Bulgarian UN worker, stating that an investigation into the circumstances was underway. Initial assessments indicated no link to Israeli military operations, an assertion Marmorstein reiterated. Meanwhile, Bulgaria’s foreign ministry acknowledged the loss of one of its citizens employed by the United Nations, although specific details about their location in Gaza were not provided.
Footage from Al-Aqsa Martyrs hospital depicted several of the injured, with noticeable signs of trauma. Some of the wounded were reportedly wearing bulletproof vests, indicating they may have been in a heightened state of alert at the time of the incident. Marmorstein noted that Israeli forces were involved in the evacuation of the deceased and the injured for medical treatment in Israel.
The international reaction included comments from United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who expressed deep sadness over the demise of the UNOPS staff member after an apparent attack on two UN guesthouses in Deir el-Balah. Guterres’s spokesperson, Farhan Haq, pointed out the stark reality that at least 280 UN employees have lost their lives in Gaza since the resurgence of conflict in October 2023.
Controversy surrounding the incident escalated as the Hamas-run health ministry attributed blame to an Israeli strike, a claim the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) firmly denied. An IDF spokesperson maintained that there was no military engagement in the area at the time and reiterated that the army did not target the UN compound. Haq weighed in, explaining that preliminary assessments did not suggest the explosive device was a mine or unexploded ordnance, but rather an explosive that was either dropped or fired at the facility.
The situation underscores the fragility of security for humanitarian workers in conflict zones, and Haq called for a thorough investigation while stressing the obligation of all parties to ensure the safety of UN locations, which are known landmarks in the conflict. The loss of life among UN personnel is a critical concern, with the Secretary-General strongly condemning any attacks on UN staff and advocating for accountability and protective measures moving forward.
