Indian UN staff member killed in Gaza war: What we know so far

Israel-Hamas war: An Indian personnel with the United Nations was killed in Gaza's Rafah when the vehicle he was travelling in reportedly came under attack in Rafah. This is the "first international" casualty for the United Nations in the Gaza war zone. Another UN staffer was injured in the incident when their vehicle was struck as they travelled to the European Hospital in Rafah.

Indian UN personnel killed in Gaza: What we know so far?

The identity of the personnel has not been revealed as yet but the sources cited by the Press Trust of India said he was a former Indian Army personnel. He worked as a member of staff of the United Nations Department of Safety and Security (DSS).

Add WION as a Preferred Source

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres "was deeply saddened to learn of the death of a United Nations Department of Safety and Security (DSS) staff member and injury to another DSS staffer when their UN vehicle was struck as they travelled to the European Hospital in Rafah" on Monday (May 13) morning.

A statement issued by Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesman for the Secretary-General, said that Guterres condemned all attacks on UN personnel and called for a full investigation. Guterres sent his condolences to the family of the fallen staff member.

"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," the statement added.

In a post on X, Guterres said the UN vehicle was struck in Gaza, "killing one of our colleagues & injuring another." He said that more than 190 UN staff have been killed in Gaza.

"Humanitarian workers must be protected. I condemn all attacks on UN personnel and reiterate my urgent appeal for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire & the release of all hostages," he said.

Indian personnel killed in Rafah: What happened?

Responding to questions on the incident during the press briefing, Haq said at this point, "We are in the process of informing the relevant governments and the relevant family members, so I wouldn't share any names or nationalities."

He added that they were "international staff".

Haq confirmed that "this is, in fact, the first international UN casualty."

While there have been international casualties involving workers for the World Central Kitchen in Gaza, Haq said that "of UN staff, I believe I've not been previously aware of an international casualty."

Haq added that the vehicle was headed to the hospital "as part of their regular work, they go to different locations to assess security conditions. And this was the European hospital in Rafah."

When asked for details about how their vehicle was struck, Haq said, "This happened fairly recently. We're still accumulating details. We expect to get reports, including from the relevant authorities."

Haq added that the UN is "going to set up measures for accountability. A lot of that… requires ultimately for an end to the conflict so that we can work these out, but we will be working with the authorities on the ground to get a restitution for all of those who have been killed."

Director-General of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a post on X, "We are devastated to learn about the death" of a UN humanitarian worker and injury of another in Gaza.

"Too many civilian and humanitarian lives have paid the price for this war. Ceasefire and work towards peace," the WHO chief said.

(With inputs from agencies)