During the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza, a member of the Indian personnel working with the United Nations lost their life when their vehicle was targeted in an attack in Rafah, as confirmed by officials on Tuesday.
“An individual from India working with the United Nations was killed in Gaza after their vehicle was attacked in Rafah, marking the first international casualty for the UN since the start of the Israel-Hamas conflict,” officials stated, as reported by PTI.
The UN vehicle was attacked while on its way to the European Hospital in Rafah, resulting in the loss of life of a staff member from the United Nations Department of Safety and Security (DSS).
“The secretary-general was deeply saddened to learn of the death of a staff member from the United Nations Department of Safety and Security (DSS) and the injury to another DSS staff member when their UN vehicle was attacked as they traveled to the European Hospital in Rafah this morning,” said Farhan Haq, deputy spokesman for the UN secretary-general on Monday.
“The secretary-general condemns all attacks on UN personnel and calls for a full investigation,” the statement added.
The UN secretary-general expressed condolences for the loss and condemned the attack, emphasizing the urgent need to protect humanitarian workers.
“Today, a UN vehicle was attacked in Gaza, resulting in the death of one of our colleagues and the injury of another. More than 190 UN staff have been killed in Gaza. Humanitarian workers must be protected,” stated Guterres in a post on Monday, without specifying the nationality of the deceased. He emphasized the importance of safeguarding the lives of UN personnel providing aid and assistance in conflict zones.
“I condemn all attacks on UN personnel and reiterate my urgent appeal for immediate humanitarian,” he added.
India’s permanent representative to the United Nations, Ruchira Kamboj, condemned the deaths resulting from the Israel-Hamas conflict.
“The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has led to a significant loss of civilian lives, particularly women and children. The resulting humanitarian crisis is simply unacceptable. We strongly condemn the deaths of civilians in the conflict. International law and international humanitarian law must be respected by everyone under all circumstances,” Kamboj stated at the 10th Emergency Special Session of the UN General Assembly on Palestine.
