Former Army officer Colonel Waibhav Anil Kale, who was working with the United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS), was killed and another staff member injured when their vehicle was struck as they travelled to the European Hospital in Rafah, the southernmost city in the Gaza strip bordering Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula, on Monday morning.
This makes it the first international casualty for the world body since the beginning of the Israel-Hamas conflict on October 7, 2023. Israel had launched a major offensive in Rafah just days ago.
Colonel Kale had joined the UNDSS as a security coordination officer about five to six weeks ago, officials said. His mortal remains are scheduled to arrive in India on Tuesday evening. Officials in the know said the incident was being investigated and there was no conclusive information yet on who fired at the UN vehicle which was clearly marked.
