A member of the UN security services was killed during an assault on a vehicle in Gaza on Monday, as reported by a UN spokesperson.
This incident marks the first death of an international UN employee in the Palestinian territory since the onset of the conflict.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed profound sorrow upon hearing about the death and the injury of another Department of Safety and Security (DSS) staff member.
Their vehicle was targeted while en route to the European Hospital in Rafah. This marks the initial international casualty attributed to the UN since the Israeli military action in Gaza began in response to the Hamas attack on October 7, noted Farhan Haq, the Deputy Spokesperson for the UN.
Haq also mentioned that around 190 Palestinian UN workers, predominantly from the UN Palestinian Refugee Agency (UNRWA), have lost their lives. Guterres has called for a full investigation into the attacks on UN personnel.
Further details about the nationality of the deceased and whether their vehicle was part of a larger convoy were not immediately available.
The DSS is responsible for ensuring the security of UN agencies and programs across over 130 countries globally.
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) has stated that forced displacement and ongoing military operations in Rafah are exacerbating an already dire situation.
This comes in the wake of new evacuation orders issued by Israeli authorities, affecting at least 300,000 people throughout the Gaza Strip.
