An Indian employee of the United Nations was killed in Gaza when the vehicle he was travelling in was attacked in Rafah. This marks the first international casualty for the UN since the beginning of the Israel-Hamas conflict.
The victim was a member of the United Nations Department of Safety and Security (DSS) and was from India. He was a former personnel of the Indian Army, but his identity has not been revealed yet.
This incident is the first time that an international UN staff member has been killed in Gaza since the start of the conflict that began after the October 7 terror attacks. Another DSS employee was also injured in the attack when their UN vehicle was hit while travelling to the European Hospital in Rafah.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres "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 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 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 that 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.
Close to around 190 UN personnel have been killed in Gaza since October 7.
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