IDF admits responsibility for deadly attack on UN building last month
The Israeli military has admitted its troops were behind the deadly shelling of a UN guest house in Gaza last month, after previously denying responsibility.
On 19 March, the building in Deir al Balah belonging to the UN's Office for Project Services (UNOPS) was attacked, killing a Bulgarian UN staff member and injuring six other international workers.
The picture below shows the damage sustained by the building, with a large hole in one wall.
The UN said the building was fired on by an Israeli tank, an allegation that the Israeli military previously denied.
In a statement today, 24 April, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) admitted that one of its tanks had struck the building and said it had passed preliminary findings to UN representatives.
"The building was struck due to assessed enemy presence and was not identified by the forces as a UN facility," the statement says.
"We express our deep sorrow for the loss and send our condolences to the family."
At the time of the attack, however, UNOPS chief Jorge Moreira da Silva said that Israel knew the location of the building and who was working there.
"This was not an accident," he said.
Sky News understands that the IDF had been previously informed that the building belonged to the UN, and that this is being investigated by the IDF.
The admission of responsibility comes as Israel is under increasing pressure over the deaths of aid workers in Gaza.
Sky News reported last month that attacks on aid workers had risen to the highest level in almost a year.
2:43
Israel has faced particular criticism over its troops' killing of 15 unarmed aid workers on 23 March, and the subsequent decision to bury their bodies in a mass grave.
The IDF said that its investigation into the attack on the UN guest house is still ongoing, and that the full results would be presented to the UN.
The UN has been approached for comment.
The IDF declined to comment when approached by Sky News.
19:54
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
STV News
27 minutes ago
- STV News
UK sanctions Israeli ministers over Gaza comments
Israeli government ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich have been sanctioned by the UK government for 'inciting violence against the Palestinian people'. The sanction means their assets will be frozen, and the men will be banned from entering the UK. The UK is taking action alongside Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Norway. In a joint statement with foreign ministers from the four other countries who have announced sanctions, foreign secretary David Lammy said the two senior Israelis had incited 'serious abuses of Palestinian human rights'. The statement added: 'We have engaged the Israeli government on this issue extensively, yet violent perpetrators continue to act with encouragement and impunity. 'These actions are not acceptable. This is why we have taken action now – to hold those responsible to account.' Foreign Secretary David Lammy announces sanctions against Israeli ministers Ben-Gvir and SmotrichLammy says the men 'have been inciting violence against Palestinian people for months' He reiterated the government's support for a two-state solution — ITVPolitics (@ITVNewsPolitics) June 10, 2025 David Lammy has described Israel's actions as 'monstrous' and condemned the actions of 'extremist' settlers in the West Bank, saying Netanyahu's administration has a responsibility to intervene to halt their actions. In a sign of mounting pressure on Israel over its actions in Gaza, last month the UK suspended trade talks with Israel and sanctioned West Bank settlers. Lammy said: 'We have suspended negotiations with this Israeli government on a new free trade agreement.' Adding that the UK is reviewing its co-operation with the Israeli administration, he said: 'The Netanyahu government's actions have made this necessary.' The sanctions were sparked by a series of comments made by the two men about Gaza – finance minister Smotrich recently said he would allow 'not even a grain of wheat' into Gaza, that 'Gaza will be entirely destroyed', and Palestinian people 'will leave in great numbers to third countries.' Security minister Ben-Gvir has also said Israel should 'encourage the voluntary emigration of the residents of Gaza', and that 'there is no need to bring in aid'. The government has been drawing up the plans to sanction the two men for months. Ben-Gvir also called for the al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem to be replaced with a synagogue. Israel's government responded to the sanctions saying they were 'outrageous'. Minister of foreign affairs Gideon Sa'ar's said: 'We were informed about the UK decision to include two of our Ministers on the British Sanctions list. 'It is outrageous that elected representatives and members of the government are subjected to these kind of measures. 'I discussed it earlier today with PM Netanyahu and we will hold a special government meeting early next week to decide on our response to this unacceptable decision.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Belfast Telegraph
35 minutes ago
- Belfast Telegraph
Independent Scotland would cut ties with Israel, says SNP Westminster leader
Speaking on the News Agents podcast, Stephen Flynn said he was 'deeply upset and angry' about what was happening in Gaza as he hit out at the UK Government's 'weak' position on the issue. The Scottish Government, under the leadership of both Humza Yousaf and John Swinney, has been outspoken on the conflict, consistently calling for a ceasefire and for humanitarian aid to be able to enter Gaza. The Aberdeen South MP also said the UK Government should do something to catch the Israeli government's attention as it looks to ramp up pressure. Asked if an independent Scotland would close its embassies in Israel and break off relations with the country, Mr Flynn said it would. 'I've gone into the House of Commons on God knows how many occasions now and listened to David Lammy and Hamish Falconer, the Middle East minister, and they've told us how 'we're going to do this, or we're going to do that, and this is the latest thing we're going to do'. 'And then he stands up and says, 'but they're ignoring us'. 'Well, if they're ignoring you, then do something that captures their attention.' Mr Flynn's comments come as the Foreign Secretary announced the UK would be sanctioning two Israeli ministers. Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, Israel's security minister and finance minister respectively, have been 'inciting violence against Palestinian people for months and months and months, they have been encouraging egregious abuses of human rights', David Lammy said. Both will be subject to a travel ban and asset freeze. The Westminster SNP leader went on to say that it would not be 'wise' for his party's MPs to visit Israel, claiming they were likely to be turned away from the country, as happened with Labour MPs earlier this year, owing to the party's outspoken opposition to the conduct of the war in Gaza. 'I'd be amazed if any of them did, because they're not daft, and they probably know that they would get turned around and stuck on a plane right back out Israel,' he said. 'Look, I'm deeply, deeply upset and angry about what's happened in Gaza, and what continues to happen in Gaza, and the fact that the UK position has been so weak for far too long in respect of this. 'I think it's important that you convey your views to people who are rational actors.'
The National
an hour ago
- The National
UK must do 'far more' than sanctions and stop all arms sales to Israel
Amnesty International welcomed the move by the UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Norway, in imposing sanctions against extremist Israeli politicians Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich. Former first minister Humza Yousaf joined calls from the group urging the UK to go further and stop all arms sales to Israel. On Tuesday, it was announced that Ben-Gvir, Israel's security minister, and Smotrich, finance minister, will have their assets frozen and travel bans imposed by the five countries. READ MORE: Independent Scotland would break ties with Israel, says Stephen Flynn In a joint statement, UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy and his counterparts said the sanctions were imposed because the two ministers 'incited extremist violence and serious abuses of Palestinian human rights'. It continued: 'These actions are not acceptable. This is why we have taken action now – to hold those responsible to account.' Ben-Gvir and Smotrich are two hard-line ministers who have made repeated comments during their time in office that have prompted outrage. They are two key allies of Benjamin Netanyahu and his current government. Smotrich approved the expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank and campaigned against allowing humanitarian aid into Gaza. Ben-Gvir resigned from Netanyahu's cabinet during the ceasefire in January, rejoining in March when fighting resumed. He said allowing aid deliveries into Gaza was a 'serious and grave mistake' and has advocated for the expulsion of Palestinians from Gaza. While many campaigners and groups welcomed the sanctions, many said it did not go far enough. (Image: PA) Later on Tuesday, Downing Street confirmed that the sanctions were imposed in a 'personal capacity' and 'not their ministries or departments'. Sacha Deshmukh, chief Executive at Amnesty International UK, said: "Targeting civilians and advocating for the destruction of entire communities are not just reprehensible - they're potential war crimes. 'We are witnessing a catastrophic assault on human rights: entire families erased, homes destroyed, and a population subjected to starvation and forced displacement. These horrors must end now. 'The international community is right to impose sanctions on individuals whose rhetoric and actions fuel violence and deepen the cycle of oppression. These measures are a necessary step toward accountability, and today's announcement by the UK government is welcome but long overdue - far more must be done to protect Palestinian lives and uphold international law. 'The UK Government must use every political, legal, and diplomatic tool at its disposal to help end Israel's genocide in Gaza including halting UK arms supplies to Israel, and press for the dismantling of the system of apartheid across Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory." READ MORE: Freedom Flotilla Coalition gives update on Madleen crew detained by Israel SNP MSP Yousaf said: 'Sanctioning extremists like Ben-Gvir and Smotrich is welcomed. However, let's not forget it is Netanyahu who is wanted by the ICC for war crimes, he too should be sanctioned. 'As well as sanctions, surely the UK must stop all arm sales to Israel. 'What red lines are left to cross?' Tim Bierley, campaigner at Global Justice Now, also said that the UK should have gone further. 'As long as the UK continues to arm Israel and continue its business-as-usual approach to trade with the country, imposing sanctions on individual Israeli ministers is little more than a symbolic gesture,' he said. 'Instead of piecemeal sanctions on individuals, our government must enact systemic sanctions that hit Israel's ability to wage war and oppress Palestinians across the occupied territory. (Image: Archive) 'That means suspending the UK's existing trade deal with Israel, banning trade with settlements and ending all arms sales to Israel at minimum.' Several politicians also commented on the sanctions. Ross Greer, Scottish Greens MSP, wrote on Twitter/X: 'Sanctioning two individual ministers for their incitement to genocide is good and long overdue, but how does the UK Government square that with continuing to sell arms to Israel and failing to sanction Netanyahu himself?' Ellie Chowns, Green MP for North Herefordshire, said: 'I welcome sanctions on Ben-Gvir & Smotrich. This step is long overdue. But there's much more the UK should do: stop all arms exports to Israel, recognise the state of Palestine, and use every legal, economic and diplomatic lever to end genocide in Gaza.' Meanwhile, Emily Thornberry, chairwoman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, has said the UK Government is doing the 'right thing' with sanctions. She posted on X: 'I and others have been calling for sanctions on these extremist Israeli ministers for the better part of a year. READ MORE: David Lammy urged to intervene as Madleen seized by Israel 'The Government is finally doing the right thing. 'This must be a precursor to recognising a Palestinian state next week – not an alternative to it.' It comes as at least 127 Palestinians have been killed attempting to access food and aid from Israeli and US supported distribution centres. Experts have warned that Israel's blockade and its ongoing military campaign have put Gaza at risk of famine. Israeli forces have repeatedly fired toward crowds heading to the food centres since they opened last month.
