New Delhi: A former Indian Army Colonel, who had joined the United Nations (UN) about two months ago and was deputed to Gaza, was killed in Rafah Monday while travelling in a clearly marked UN vehicle — becoming what is believed to be the first “international” casualty of the Israel onslaught against Hamas.
The white van with the UN flag in front and UN lettering stamped was targeted when staff members were en route to the European Hospital in Rafah. Additionally, another UN staff member sustained injuries and is currently under treatment.
Israel has launched an inquiry into the incident.
Waibhav Anil Kale was a retired Colonel of the Indian Army from the Jammu and Kashmir Rifles and had taken premature retirement about two years ago. He is one of the over 190 UN staffers killed in this conflict since it began on 7 October, 2023.
The 46-year-old is survived by his wife and two teenage children.
According to sources known to him, Kale joined the UN because “he wanted to make a difference”.
Being a UN peacekeeper seemed like the best way to do that and after a distinguished career in the Indian Army, he joined the United Nations Department for Safety and Security (UNDSS) — which oversees the security of UN agencies and programmes in over 130 countries.
Farhan Haq, deputy spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, confirmed the news and said the UN secretary general is “deeply saddened” by the death of a fellow staff member and has called for a “full investigation” into this attack.
Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General Antonio Gutters also took to ‘X’ (formerly Twitter) to express disappointment. “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 wrote in a post Monday.
Today a @UN vehicle was struck in Gaza, killing one of our colleagues & injuring another.
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…
— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) May 13, 2024
While Israel Defense Forces (IDF) claimed to be unaware of the route of the UN vehicle, Haq asserted that “all UN movement is communicated to the Israeli side”.
The Israeli side too maintained that “travel approvals do not always guarantee safe passage for aid personnel,” The Washington Post reported.
Only last week, the UNRWA — the UN aid agency — had to shut down its headquarters in East Jerusalem amid security threats from local Israelis after the edge of the building compound was set ablaze.
The world’s eyes are on Rafah as the situation at the only point of access into the Gaza Strip is anticipated to worsen. Israeli forces have issued orders for a full evacuation of civilians from the region, while the US is withholding ammunition lest Israel invades Rafah. The town in southern Gaza is where most aid organisations are stationed.
According to the UN’s briefing Monday, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported that the Rafah crossing remains closed and the World Health Organization (WHO) has reported the offensive has jeopardised the health services, access to healthcare, and the delivery of life-saving supplies in the region.
(Edited by Richa Mishra)