site.btaBulgarian UN Worker Marin Marinov Killed in Gaza to Be Laid to Rest in Yambol

A funeral service for the United Nations staff member Captain Marin Marinov, who was killed in the Gaza Strip, will be held on Sunday in his hometown Yambol, his relatives said on social media. The service will take place at the Saint Nicholas Cathedral, after which Captain Marinov will be laid to rest in Yambol’s cemetery.

It is still unclear under what circumstances the 51-year-old Bulgarian lost his life on March 19 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 in the incident.

The UN announced that the fatal blow to its compound was caused by an Israeli tank strike, killing Marinov and wounding five other staff members. 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.

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.

Bulgarian Foreign Minister 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.

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.

Earlier this week, party leaders in the National Assembly also commented on the death of the Bulgarian UN worker.

GERB leader Boyko Borissov said that “for months, there has been a war between the UN and Israel,” stressing that an investigation is underway, and both sides have rushed to provide conclusions. “Our Foreign Ministry cannot be categorical about something that has not been proven yet,” he added.

Continue the Change Co-Chair Assen Vassilev stated that Bulgaria needs to know the facts in order to have a clear position. “The UN says this Bulgarian citizen was killed by the Israeli army, while Israel says they were not even in the area where it happened. Until we know the facts, we cannot take a reasonable stance,” Vassilev said.

Vazrazhdane leader Kostadin Kostadinov criticized Foreign Minister Georgiev for appearing “more concerned about Israel than about the death of a Bulgarian captain in Gaza,” calling the minister’s statement “utterly disgraceful.” Vazrazhdane tabled a no-confidence motion against the government for “failing in its foreign policy,” which was ultimately rejected.