24 April 2025

We acknowledge the reported initial findings of the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) today that a tank round was the cause of the death of a Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµOPS colleague in Deir al Balah, central Gaza on 19 March 2025.

This is consistent with known facts to the Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ: this incident was a result of a tank round into a fully deconflicted Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµOPS premises. Full accountability must be ensured with respect to the grave violations of international law that have been committed.

Marin Valev Marinov, 51, a Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµOPS colleague from Bulgaria,?tragically died in the military assault on Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµOPS premises. The killing of any aid worker is a clear breach of humanitarian law. Nine others, including six other Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ colleagues were also injured in this incident.

Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ workers should never be targeted and the location of these premises were well known by all parties. Attacks against humanitarian premises are a breach of international law, and Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ personnel and its premises must be protected by all sides.

We renew the Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ call for the resumption of the ceasefire, for unimpeded humanitarian assistance to be reestablished and for the remaining hostages to be released unconditionally.


Statement attributable to Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ Under-Secretary-General and Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµOPS Executive Director?Jorge Moreira da Silva.