Indian ex-soldier working for the UN dies in Rafah

A United Nations staff member tragically killed in Gaza attack

A United Nations staff member, identified as Waibhav Anil Kale, was killed while traveling in a UN vehicle from Rafah to the European Hospital in Khan Younis, according to Farhan Haq, the deputy spokesman for the UN secretary-general. Another UN staffer was injured in the attack.

Kale, a 46-year-old Indian national who recently started working as a UN security service coordinator in Gaza, was married with two children. The incident occurred as he was en route to the hospital in a clearly marked UN vehicle.

The Israel Defense Forces stated they were not informed of the vehicle’s route and are reviewing the incident. Video footage from the hospital’s emergency department showed bullet holes in the UN-marked vehicle.

Since the conflict began on October 7, 191 UN workers, including Kale, have lost their lives in Gaza. The majority were Palestinians, marking the highest number of casualties among UN workers in recorded history.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and the release of all hostages following Kale’s death. The Biden administration also released a report stating that Israel may have violated international law by using US weapons in Gaza, hindering humanitarian aid flow.

Anastasia Moran from the International Rescue Committee noted that even aid workers are not safe in Gaza, despite a deconfliction system in place. The system, active for six months, has failed to protect the humanitarian community.