Israel accused by Hamas of intentionally targeting aid workers

India is working to repatriate the body of a former Indian Army officer serving as a UN staffer, who was killed in Gaza when his vehicle was hit by tank fire in Rafah, where only Israeli tanks are present. Waibhav Anil Kale, a UN Department of Safety and Security staffer, was heading to the European Hospital in Rafah with a colleague when the incident occurred. His colleague was wounded in the attack.

UN Secretary General’s deputy spokesperson Farhan Haq stated that a fact-finding panel has been set up to determine the responsibility for Kale’s death. The UN believes the shots came from an IDF tank in the area, as only Israeli tanks are present in that region. The incident marks the first international UN staffer killed in Gaza since the conflict began on October 7.

Israel has been moving deeper into Rafah, engaging in fierce battles with militants. The Hamas-run government’s media office accused Israel of deliberately targeting foreign staff in Gaza. India’s foreign ministry is in touch with relevant authorities to investigate Kale’s death and repatriate his body.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and the release of all hostages, emphasizing the toll the conflict is taking on civilians and humanitarian workers. The ongoing Gaza operation has resulted in a high number of casualties and displaced persons. Israel has ordered civilians to evacuate parts of Rafah, as the conflict continues to escalate.