site.btaUPDATED Bulgarian Foreign Ministry Concerned over UN Claim that its Bulgarian Staffer in Gaza was Killed by Israeli Tank

The Bulgarian Foreign Ministry Tuesday voiced "deep concern" on X over a statement by UN Secretary-General's spokesperson Stephane Dujarric that, "based on currently available information", an explosion at a UN facility in central Gaza that killed a Bulgarian national and severely injured other UN personnel on March 19 was "caused by an Israeli tank".

Last week's strike on a UN compound near Deir al-Balah led to the death of Marin Velev Marinov, 51, a Bulgarian who worked at the UN's project services office.

In another X post, the Bulgarian Ministry said: "We support Secretary-General Antonio Guterres's call for a 'thorough, full, and independent investigation' and expect the results in line with the commitment previously assumed by the UN, including to Bulgaria. As we have repeatedly stated, our sole priority is the truth and nothing but the truth, based on a competent analysis of events and indisputable evidence."

The spokesman's statement is the first time the UN has blamed Israel for the March 19 explosion. 

The United Nations said on Monday that, while it is not withdrawing entirely from the Gaza Strip, it will "reduce its footprint" in the enclave, pulling out about a third of its international staff, after an Israeli tank struck one of the organization's compounds in the enclave, killing one staff member and wounding five, dpa and the Associated Press reported.

Reacting to the UN statement, Israeli Ambassador in Sofia Yosi Levi wrote on Facebook Tuesday morning: "As Israel informed previously, the initial examination found no connection to IDF [Israel Defense Forces] activity whatsoever. It is important to note that the UN inquiry team itself HASN'T EVEN ARRIVED AT THE SCENE. Yet the UN Secretary General, that till yesterday hasn't attributed any responsibility to Israel, is quick to publish another baseless slander against Israel. No standards, no professionalism — nothing stands in the way of the UN Secretary-General in another attempt to smear Israel," the Ambassador's post reads.