The United Nations stated {that a} employees member was killed when considered one of its convoys got here below hearth in Rafah on Monday. It was the primary time a global U.N. employees member has been killed in Gaza for the reason that battle started in October.
The convoy, which the U.N. stated was clearly marked with the logo of the group, was on its approach to the European Gaza Hospital in Khan Younis to evaluate the help and safety scenario when it got here below hearth, in accordance with Farhan Haq, a U.N. spokesman.
One other employees member was injured within the assault, the U.N. stated.
The nationality of the killed employee, a person, was not instantly introduced. Jordan’s International Ministry stated in an announcement that the injured employees member, a girl, was Jordanian and stated the incident was “a results of Israel’s enlargement of army operations in Rafah,” including that Jordan “holds Israel accountable for this.”
The Israeli army stated it had performed an preliminary inquiry that discovered “that the car was hit in an space declared an lively fight zone” and that its forces “had not been made conscious of the route of the car.” It stated the incident was nonetheless below assessment.
Along with the greater than 35,000 Palestinians killed in Israel’s struggle with Hamas, in accordance with the Gazan well being authorities, the battle has been the deadliest one for the U.N. in its historical past. Greater than 190 U.N. employees members have been killed, Mr. Haq stated, all Palestinians apart from the employees member killed on Monday.
“Humanitarian employees have to be protected,” António Guterres, the U.N. secretary basic, stated in a put up on social media. “I condemn all assaults on U.N. personnel and reiterate my pressing enchantment for an instantaneous humanitarian cease-fire & the discharge of all hostages.”
One senior U.N. official, who was briefed on the incident by safety officers in Gaza, stated an preliminary evaluation indicated that the convoy was not struck from the air and was not caught in crossfire.
The convoy was going alongside its route within the morning in marked U.N. autos when it got here below direct gunfire, stated the official, who spoke on the situation of anonymity as a result of the United Nations had but to launch a public report on the incident.
Heavy combating continued on Monday in Gaza Metropolis, Jabaliya and Rafah, the southern metropolis the place multiple million individuals fled to attempt to escape Israel’s army offensive. Mr. Haq stated that 360,000 individuals have fled Rafah since Israel issued an evacuation order per week in the past.
“We stay deeply involved concerning the lack of safety for civilians and the dearth of security for humanitarian operations,” Mr. Haq stated. “Civilians have to be protected and have their fundamental wants met, whether or not they transfer or keep.”
Dr. James Smith, a British emergency specialist who was touring between medical amenities in southern Gaza on Monday, stated by way of textual content message that he had visited the European Gaza Hospital earlier within the day. Dr. Smith stated the emergency room was busy with screaming sufferers and medical employees operating by means of the corridors.
He stated little or no help was accessible to displaced individuals searching for shelter and the scenes across the hospital have been bleak.
“Khan Younis has been decimated,” Dr. Smith stated.
The World Well being Group stated on Monday that the Israeli incursion into Rafah had jeopardized well being companies, with humanitarian employees unable to ship lifesaving medical provides.
Mr. Haq stated that the dearth of gas getting into Gaza stays one of many prime challenges for humanitarian help work. Hospital mills require a minimum of 46,000 liters of gas per day, and the necessity for gas will solely develop because the combating in Rafah expands, Mr. Haq stated.
Anushka Patil contributed reporting.
