Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
A United Nations employee was killed last month by an Israeli tank shell in the city of Deir al-Balah in central Gaza, the Israel Defense Forces confirmed on Thursday.
According to an IDF spokesperson, the military’s General Staff investigation mechanism presented its findings to UN representatives and IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir. The incident occurred on March 19, one day after the collapse of a ceasefire with Hamas.
"On that date, the UN reported the death of one of its workers, who was present at a UN facility in Deir al-Balah," the statement read. "The incident was immediately referred for review and is currently under thorough investigation."
"Preliminary findings indicate that the fatal strike was caused by a tank shell fired by an IDF unit operating in the area. We regret the unintended harm caused to the UN employee and extend our condolences to the family," the IDF said.