UN launches probe into first international staff killed by unidentified strike in Rafah

The United Nations has launched an investigation into an unidentified strike on a UN car in Rafah on Monday that killed its first international staff in Gaza since Oct. 7, a spokesperson for the UN Secretary General said.

The staff member, Waibhav Anil Kale, a retired Indian Army officer, was en route to the European Hospital in Rafah. His colleague, accompanying him, also sustained injuries in the attack.

Israel has been moving deeper into Rafah in southern Gaza, where more than a million people had sought shelter, and its forces pounded the enclave’s north on Tuesday in some of the fiercest attacks in months.

Israel’s international allies and aid groups have repeatedly warned against a ground incursion into Rafah, where many Palestinians fled, and Israel says four Hamas battalions are holed up. Israel says it must root out the remaining fighters.

In a statement on Monday after Kale’s death, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres reiterated an “urgent appeal for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and for the release of all hostages,” saying the conflict in Gaza was continuing to take a heavy toll “not only on civilians, but also on humanitarian workers.”

The UN Rafah Probe underscores the organization’s commitment to the safety of its staff worldwide. Beyond seeking justice, the probe aims to prevent future tragedies through enhanced security measures. Consequently, the probe serves as a testament to the UN’s dedication to its humanitarian mission.
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