''Based on the information currently available, the strikes hitting a UN compound in Deir Al Balah on 19 March were caused by an Israeli tank shell. The strikes claimed the life of a UN colleague from Bulgaria and left six others – from France, Moldova, North Macedonia, Palestine and the United Kingdom – with severe injuries, some of them life-altering'', said Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesman for the United Nations Secretary-General.

''The location of this UN compound was well known to all the parties to the conflict and I reiterate that all parties to the conflict are bound by international law to protect the inviolability of UN premises. Without this, our colleagues face intolerable risks as they work to save the lives of civilians. The Secretary-General strongly condemns these strikes and demands a full, thorough and independent investigation into this incident'', added Stéphane Dujarric.

''In the past week, Israel carried out devastating strikes on Gaza, claiming the lives of hundreds of civilians, including United Nations personnel, with no humanitarian aid being allowed to enter the Gaza Strip since early March. As a result, the Secretary-General has taken the difficult decision to reduce the Organization’s footprint in Gaza, even as humanitarian needs soar and our concern over the protection of civilians intensifies'', Stéphane Dujarric said further.

• Marin Marinov is the Bulgarian who died in the attack in the Gaza Strip

• Vazrazhdane accuses the government of inaction over the death of Bulgarian Marin Marinov in Gaza

''The initial investigation found no connection to the activities of the Israel Defense Forces. The UN team conducting the investigation has not even arrived at the scene yet. However, the UN is rushing to publish yet another unfounded accusation against Israel'', reads a position by Yosef Levi Sfari, Ambassador of the State of Israel to Bulgaria, in relation to the UN's statement that an Israeli tank shell killed Bulgarian Marin Marinov and injured six others in Gaza.