site.btaUPDATED Bulgarian UN Worker Killed in Gaza Sent on Final Journey in Native Town

A funeral service was held for UN staffer Captain Marin Marinov, 51, who was killed in Gaza on March 19. Hundreds of people - family, friends, coworkers and representatives of the Association of Palestinians in Bulgaria - flocked to the St Nicholas the Miracle Maker church in his native town of Yambol on Sunday.

Deputy Foreign Minister Maria Anguelieva attended the funeral. "Bulgaria and the world have lost an honourable man and a worthy Bulgarian. All I can say right now is may Marin Marinov rest in peace," said Anguelieva, declining to comment on whether Bulgaria would conduct its own investigation, out of respect for the moment of remembrance.

Yambol Mayor Valentin Revanski told journalists: "Bulgaria must stand behind every one of its citizens, both in life and when it comes to defending their memory and dignity. We expect an objective and transparent investigation because the answers matter to his family, to his memory, to society, and to justice."

Dr Ibrahim Dogmush, Chairman of the Association of Palestinians in Bulgaria, said: "The loss of Captain Marinov is not just a loss for his relatives and for Bulgaria. This is a loss for humanity. I am from Gaza, where he was killed. From now on, he is a hero not only for Bulgaria but also for the Palestinian people, he sacrificed his life for a humanitarian cause."

Marin Marinov was described by his friends as an exceptionally kind person who always tried to help others.

People close to Marinov's family insist that Bulgaria conduct its own investigation. According to them, the country's current stance is inadequate. "The state did nothing. One side is not guilty, the other side is not guilty, and in the end, no one is guilty. Our leaders must take action and seek the truth. Has anyone asked his mother how she will live from now on?" Fiika Svetlichkova told BTA.

"The state must conduct an investigation, but will it?," asked another relative, Koina Yordanova.

"I hope the authorities and competent people clarify absolutely everything, not only about his death but also about his Jordanian coworker and those injured. I hope the truth will come to light, although I have doubts about the objectivity of the investigation," Marinov's uncle, Angel Stoykov, told journalists. He asked why high-ranking officials were absent from the funeral: "For this Bulgarian hero, at least the Parliament Chair, a Deputy Prime Minister, or the Vice President should have attended, if not higher-ranking officials. It would have been appropriate for someone to be present."

"I am not a diplomat, but I served in the army for 10 years. The problem is that now double standards are applied to the different victims in the Gaza conflict. This was a UN building - I do not believe the Israeli make mistakes. I have participated in exercises with Israelis; they are extremely disciplined soldiers," a woman commented in front of the church who asked to remain anonymous.

It is still unclear under what circumstances Marinov lost his life in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza, when a UN building collapsed during a humanitarian mission. Five of his colleagues from various countries were severely injured.

On March 19, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar assured his Bulgarian counterpart, Georg Georgiev, by phone that the tragic incident was in no way connected to Israeli Defence Forces' actions by land, air, or sea, and the investigation remains ongoing.

On March 22, Foreign Minister Georg Georgiev noted that renewed hostilities in Gaza have made it extremely difficult for any state other than those on the ground to conduct a thorough inquiry.

On March 25, UN Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said that based on currently available information, "the strikes hitting a UN compound in Deir Al Balah on March 19 were caused by an Israeli tank". "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." The location of the compound was well known to all the parties to the conflict.

Following a decision by Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, the UN said it would withdraw one-third of its international personnel from Gaza in response to the attack.

On March 27, President Rumen Radev said the government should "demonstrate concern for every Bulgarian citizen, be fully aware of Bulgaria’s national interests, and defend the country’s dignity". He called for a more proactive stance in seeking information about the Gaza incident from all involved international institutions and security services, noting that relying on only one party to the conflict is insufficient.