CNN Investigation Reveals Israel’s Involvement in Gaza UN Guesthouse Attack, Killing Aid Worker

Gaza (Quds News Network)- A CNN investigation has revealed Israel’s involvement in the attack on the UN guesthouse in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza, on Wednesday, confirming that weapon fragments found at the scene match the M339, an Israeli tank projectile.

On Wednesday, the UN confirmed that one of their international aid workers was killed by an “explosive ordnance” at the UN guesthouse in central Gaza, and five others were injured.

The Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza blamed the attack on the Israeli military, which the military denied, claiming it had not conducted an airstrike in the vicinity of the guesthouse.

Jorge Moreira da Silva, head of the UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS), told reporters at a press conference in Brussels that the attack happened at a UN guesthouse that was frequently used by UN staff.

The location was known to the Israeli military and in an isolated area with no other buildings nearby, he said. Da Silva said the guesthouse had come under attack multiple times this week. “Two days ago there was a near miss to this premises, and yesterday the premises was hit, and today there was another hit, unfortunately with these casualties,” he said.

“It cannot be categorized as an accident,” he added, stressing that “attacks on humanitarian premises are a breach of international law.

A spokesperson for the Israeli foreign ministry said late Wednesday that a Bulgarian citizen working for the UN had died in Gaza, but it was not immediately clear if the Bulgarian was the same person mentioned in the UN’s statement.

Video filmed by CNN at the scene showed a hole in the side of the building.

Trevor Ball, a former US Army senior explosive ordnance disposal team member who reviewed the footage, said weapon fragments from the scene are consistent with the M339, an Israeli tank projectile.

Damage from the building is also consistent with a tank round, Ball said and points to a pretty direct impact.

N.R. Jenzen-Jones, director at Armament Research Services (ARES) who also analyzed the footage, said the “remnants appear to be from an Israeli 120 mm tank projectile, most likely the M339 multi-purpose model.”

CNN asked the Israeli military whether they were investigating the possibility that the strike could have been caused by Israeli tank fire. A spokesperson said: “We have nothing to add at the moment. If new information arises, we will publish it.”

The situation for humanitarian workers in Gaza continues to deteriorate. Farhan Haq, spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, confirmed that 280 UN employees have been killed in Gaza since Israel’s genocide started on October 7, 2023. He also reported that thousands of civilians have been displaced due to new Israeli evacuation orders.

Since early Tuesday, Israel has intensified airstrikes across Gaza, killing and injuring hundreds. Despite a ceasefire agreement brokered in January, Israeli forces have resumed attacks, further deepening the suffering of civilians.