Photo by
IDF Spokesperson/TPS-IL on 17 April, 2025
Israeli Military Confirms It Struck UN Guesthouse in Gaza, Citing Mistaken Identity
Jerusalem, 24 April, 2025 (TPS-IL) -- The Israel Defense Forces confirmed on Thursday that one of its tanks mistakenly shelled a United Nations guesthouse in central Gaza last month, killing a UN staff member. The IDF initially denied reports of its involvement.
Following an investigation, the IDF acknowledged the fatal error. The initial findings were presented Thursday to IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir and UN representatives.
According to the IDF, a tank operating in the area fired at the building based on “a suspicion of enemy forces in it.” The military now says the structure was not identified by the tank crew as a UN facility.
“We express our deep sorrow for the loss and send our condolences to the family,” the IDF said in a statement, adding that it “regrets this serious incident and continues to conduct thorough review processes to draw operational lessons and evaluate additional measures to prevent such events in the future.”
Lt. Gen. Zamir ordered Maj. Gen. (res.) Yoav Har-Even, who leads the investigation team, to complete the probe and deliver the full findings to the UN.
At least 1,180 people were killed, and 252 Israelis and foreigners were taken hostage in Hamas’s attacks on Israeli communities near the Gaza border on October 7. Of the 59 remaining hostages, 36 are believed to be dead.
