UN staff member killed, another injured in another attack as Israel deliberately targets aid workers

05/16/2024 / By Laura Harris

A United Nations (UN) Department of Safety and Security staff member has been killed and another injured in an attack by Israeli soldiers.

The victim, identified as Waibhav Anil Kale, a 46-year-old Indian national and recently appointed UN security service coordinator in Gaza, was confirmed dead in the attack. Kale, who only started his position in April, left his wife and two teenage children. The identity of the injured UN staff member has not been disclosed, is now receiving medical treatment at the hospital.

According to the official statement of Farhan Haq, the deputy spokesman for the UN Secretary-General, Kale had been traveling from Rafah to a European hospital in Khan Younis in a vehicle marked with UN insignia while flying a UN flag when the attack happened. Video footage from the European hospital showed the aftermath of the attack, with bullet holes visible in the rear windows of the UN vehicle.

In response, the office of UN Secretary-General António Guterres released a statement to condemn the attack and call for a full investigation.

“The secretary-general 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 traveled to the European Hospital in Rafah this morning. 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 read.

Reports reveal Israelis targeting aid workers

In line with this, a UN report released on May 10 revealed that as of April 30, 254 aid workers, including 185 UN staff members and 27 personnel and volunteers from the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS), had been killed in Gaza. This figure also includes seven aid workers from World Central Kitchen (WCK), a humanitarian food organization, who were killed in an Israeli airstrike at the beginning of April.

Just like the most recent attack, a WCK convoy was coordinating its movements with the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) at the time of the attack, following the delivery of humanitarian food supplies to a warehouse in Deir al-Balah. (Related: World outraged as Israeli airstrike KILLS 7 multinational aid workers in Gaza.)

Moreover, Human Rights Watch, an international non-government organization defending the rights of people in 100 countries worldwide, published a similar report on May 14. Human Rights Watch revealed that the IDF has targeted aid worker convoys and properties in Gaza at least eight times since the conflict began.

“Israel’s killing of seven World Central Kitchen aid workers was shocking and should never have happened under international law,” said Belkis Wille, associate crisis, conflict and arms director at Human Rights Watch. “Israel’s allies need to recognize that these attacks that have killed aid workers have happened over and over again, and they need to stop.”

In these eight incidents, the IDF killed at least 15 people, including two children, and injured at least 16 others. Five of these attacks were the subject of a recent New York Times investigation that included visual evidence and internal communications between aid organizations and the IDF.

Aside from the WCK convoy attack, seven other attacks took place involving the following: a Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF or Doctors without Borders) convoy on Nov. 18; a guest house of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) on Dec. 9; an MSF shelter on Jan. 8; an International Rescue Committee (IRC) and Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP) guest house on Jan. 18; a UNRWA convoy on Feb. 5; an MSF guest house on Feb. 20; and a home sheltering an American Near East Refugee Aid Organization (Anera) employee on March 8.

All this despite the constant communication and coordination with Israeli officials to ensure their safety.

Watch this short clip of displaced Palestinians in Gaza being forced to collect rain water for drinking due to the Israeli blockade of the Strip.

This video is from the Cynthia’s Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com.