In a heartbreaking development, an Indian United Nations personnel was killed in Gaza when his vehicle came under attack in Rafah. This marks the first international casualty among UN staff in the Israel-Hamas conflict, highlighting the severe risks faced by humanitarian workers in the region.
An Indian personnel working with the United Nations was tragically killed in Gaza when the vehicle he was travelling in came under attack in Rafah. This incident marks the “first international” casualty among UN staff since the onset of the Israel-Hamas conflict. The deceased was a member of the United Nations Department of Safety and Security (DSS) and a former Indian Army personnel. While the victim’s identity remains undisclosed, sources confirmed his nationality and previous military service.
The attack also injured another DSS staffer as their UN vehicle headed to the European Hospital in Rafah. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed deep sorrow over the death and injury, condemning all attacks on UN personnel and demanding a full investigation. Guterres reiterated his call for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and the release of all hostages, emphasizing the heavy toll on both civilians and humanitarian workers.
In a post on X, Guterres highlighted the gravity of the situation, noting that over 190 UN staff have been killed in Gaza since October 7. He stressed the need for the protection of humanitarian workers and reiterated his urgent appeal for a ceasefire.
During a press briefing, Deputy Spokesman for the Secretary-General, Farhan Haq, confirmed the incident and emphasized that this is the first international UN casualty in the current conflict. Haq explained that the DSS vehicle was on a routine mission to assess security conditions at the European Hospital in Rafah when it was struck. The UN is working with local authorities to gather more details and ensure accountability.
The World Health Organization’s Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, also expressed devastation over the loss, calling for an immediate ceasefire and a move towards peace. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that the conflict has resulted in over 35,091 Palestinian deaths and 78,827 injuries in Gaza, with significant casualties on the Israeli side as well.
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