By Ebi Kesiena
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday condemned all attacks on United Nations personnel and called for a full investigation into the killing of a staff member in the Gaza Strip.
“The Secretary-General expresses his profound sorrow over the loss of a member of the United Nations Department of Safety and Security (DSS) and the injury of another DSS staff member when their UN vehicle was struck while en route to the European Hospital in Rafah this morning,” stated UN deputy spokesman Farhan Haq during a press briefing.
According to Haq, Guterres unequivocally condemned any attack targeting UN personnel and emphasized the necessity for a thorough investigation into the incident.
Highlighting the impact of the Gaza situation on both civilians and humanitarian workers, Haq reiterated the Secretary-General’s call for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and the liberation of captives held in Gaza.
READ ALSO: UN Chief Condemns Attack On Personnel, Urges Thorough Investigation
Additionally, Haq disclosed ongoing efforts by the UN to gather information on the event, emphasizing that 196 UN personnel have lost their lives in Gaza since October 7.
He underscored the UN’s commitment to liaising with authorities to ensure accountability for those responsible once the conflict subsides.
In response to inquiries regarding the UN vehicle’s identification, Haq confirmed that all international organization vehicles bear the UN logo for easy recognition.
