An Indian personnel working with the United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UN DSS) was killed in an attack in Rafah, Gaza, making it the “first international” casualty for the organization since the start of the Israel-Hamas conflict.
The individual was traveling in a UN vehicle when it was struck, resulting in another DSS staff member being injured. The victim’s identity has not yet been released, but sources confirmed to PTI that he was from India and a former Indian Army personnel.
This incident marks the “first casualty” among international UN staff in Gaza since the beginning of the Israel-Hamas conflict following the October 7 terror attacks. The UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, condemned the attack and called for a full investigation. He also expressed condolences to the family of the deceased staff member.
Guterres emphasized the importance of protecting humanitarian workers and reiterated his urgent appeal for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and the release of all hostages. In a post on Twitter, Guterres said that the UN vehicle was struck in Gaza, “killing one of our colleagues & injuring another.” He noted that more than 190 UN staff have been killed in Gaza and condemned all attacks on UN personnel.
Responding to questions on the incident during a press briefing, Deputy Spokesman for the Secretary-General, Farhan Haq, confirmed that this is the first international UN casualty in the conflict. He added that the relevant governments and family members are being informed and that the vehicle was part of a convoy assessing security conditions in the area.
The World Health Organization Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, expressed devastation over the death of the UN humanitarian worker and called for a ceasefire and peace efforts. In April, seven members of the UN were killed in an IDF strike in Gaza, including one of Indian descent.
According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), between October 7, 2023, and May 12, 2024, at least 35,091 Palestinians have been killed and 78,827 injured in Gaza. Over 1,200 Israelis and foreign nationals, including 33 children, have been killed in Israel, primarily during the October 7 Hamas attack.
