UN security staff killed in Gaza; Guterres calls for probe
Peace and Security
A staff member of the UN Department of Safety and Security (DSS) died and another was injured when their UN vehicle was struck as they travelled to the European Hospital in Rafah, Gaza, on Monday.
Condemning all attacks on UN personnel, Secretary-General António Guterres called for a full investigation, his deputy spokesperson, Farhan Haq, told journalists in New York.
“With the conflict in Gaza continuing to take a heavy toll – not only on civilians, but also on humanitarian workers – the Secretary-General reiterates his urgent appeal for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and for the release of all hostages,” he said.
Questioned by journalists, Mr. Haq said that the UN was still gathering information on the incident. He later confirmed that the security personnel killed was an international staff member, marking the first such UN death in the Gaza conflict.
Separately, UN Palestine refugee agency UNRWA reported that another of its staff members had been killed over the weekend, bringing the total number of staff killed to 188.
The 53-year-old senior projects officer was killed on Sunday in an Israeli strike in the central town of Deir Al-Balah after leaving Rafah.