In a recent statement, UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed deep sorrow over the death of an international staff member from the Department of Safety and Security, who was killed in Gaza. The incident occurred when the vehicle the worker was traveling in was struck near Rafah. This marks the first fatality involving a non-Palestinian UN staffer in the current Gaza conflict, which has also claimed the lives of approximately 190 Palestinian UN workers since October.
The incident has prompted Guterres to call for a full investigation into the attacks on UN personnel, emphasizing the need for accountability and protection for humanitarian workers operating in conflict zones. His deputy spokesperson, Farhan Haq, communicated these sentiments to journalists in New York, stressing the Secretary-General’s urgent call for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and the release of all hostages.
The details of the attack remain unclear, with the UN still gathering information on the specifics and the responsible parties. This event adds to the increasing toll the conflict has taken on humanitarian efforts in the region, as noted by another recent report from the UN Palestine refugee agency, UNRWA, which reported the death of a 53-year-old senior projects officer in an Israeli strike in Deir Al Balah.
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