An Indian national has become the “first international” casualty in war-ravaged Gaza since the start of the Israel-Hamas war. The slain man was working with the United Nations in Gaza.
Reports said the slain Indian was killed when the vehicle he was travelling in came under attack in Rafah.
As per news agency PTI, the slain individual was a staff member of the United Nations Department of Safety and Security (DSS).
However, the identity of the victim has not yet been revealed. It is said that the slain was a former Indian Army personnel.
The Indian personnel’s killing in Rafah is the “first casualty" among international UN staff in Gaza since the beginning of the Israel-Hamas conflict following the October 7 attacks.
Also, another DSS staffer was injured in the incident when their UN vehicle was struck as they travelled to the European Hospital in Rafah, the report said.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he “was deeply saddened to learn of the death of a United Nations Department of Safety and Security (DSS) staff member and injury to another DSS staffer when their UN vehicle was struck as they travelled to the European Hospital in Rafah” Monday morning.
A statement issued by Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesman for the Secretary-General, said that Guterres condemned all attacks on UN personnel and called for a full investigation. Guterres sent his condolences to the family of the fallen staff member.
“With the conflict in Gaza continuing to take a heavy toll – not only on civilians but also on humanitarian workers – the Secretary-General reiterates his urgent appeal for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and for the release of all hostages,” the statement added.
In a post on X, Guterres said the UN vehicle was struck in Gaza, “killing one of our colleagues & injuring another.”
He said more than 190 UN staff have been killed in Gaza.
"Humanitarian workers must be protected. I condemn all attacks on UN personnel and reiterate my urgent appeal for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire & the release of all hostages,” he said.
Responding to questions on the incident during the presser briefing, Haq said, “We are in the process of informing the relevant governments and the relevant family members, so I wouldn't share any names or nationalities.”
He added that they were “international staff.” Haq confirmed that "this is, in fact, the first international UN casualty."
Director-General of the World Health Organization Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a post on X, “We are devastated to learn about the death” of a UN humanitarian worker and injury of another in Gaza.
“Too many civilian and humanitarian lives have paid the price for this war. Ceasefire and work towards peace,” the WHO chief said.
Earlier, in April this year, seven members of the World Central Kitchen were killed in an IDF strike in Gaza.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has stated between October 7, 2023, and May 12, 2024, at least 35,091 Palestinians have been killed and 78,827 injured in Gaza.
Reports state over 1,200 Israelis and foreign nationals, including 33 children, have been killed in Israel, the vast majority on October 7, when Hamas attacked Israel.
