UN chief condemns killing of UN security staff in Gaza

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has condemned the killing of a staff member of the UN Department of Safety and Security (DSS)

The staff died and another was injured when their UN vehicle was struck as they travelled to the European Hospital in Rafah, Gaza.

The 53-year-old senior projects officer was killed on Sunday in an Israeli strike in the central town of Deir Al Balah, after leaving Rafah.

UN deputy spokesperson, Farhan Haq, told journalists in New York on Monday that the Guterres called for a full investigation into the attacks

“With the conflict in Gaza continuing to take a heavy toll – not only on civilians, but also on humanitarian workers – the Secretary-General reiterates his urgent appeal for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and for the release of all hostages,” he said.

Answering questions from journalists, Haq said that the UN was still gathering information on the incident.

He later confirmed that the security personnel killed was an international staff member, marking the first such UN death in the Gaza conflict.

Separately, UN Palestine refugee agency UNRWA reported that another of its staff members had been killed in the war, bringing the total number to 188.