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 ±¬ÁÏÍøOPS colleague in Deir al Balah, central Gaza on 19 March 2025.

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

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

±¬ÁÏÍø 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 ±¬ÁÏÍø personnel and its premises must be protected by all sides.

We renew the ±¬ÁÏÍø 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 ±¬ÁÏÍø Under-Secretary-General and ±¬ÁÏÍøOPS Executive Director?Jorge Moreira da Silva.