"Not A Death, He Was Murdered": Social Media Criticism Over MEA Press Release On Ex-Army Officer's Killing In Gaza

The India”s Ministry External Affairs is facing widespread criticism on social media platforms over the press statement released on the killing of former Army officer Colonel Waibhav Anil Kale. In a press release, the External Ministry said that India is “deeply saddened” at the death of Kale, and extended condolences to the family and dear ones.

However, the MEA failed to mention anything about the Israel”s involvement in Kale”s killing, even though UN, for whom Kale was working, agreed that he was killed in Israeli strike.

The press release mentioned that India”s Permanent Mission to the UN in New York and Missions in Tel Aviv and Ramallah will extend all assistance in the repatriation of mortal remains back to the army veteran”s home, and to be in touch with the relevant authorities regarding the probe into the incident.

Netizens are thrashing the MEA for its failure to mention how Kale was killed. UN spokesperson, Farhan Haq said that UN believe the attack to be from a tank and its a “safe assumption to make” that its from Israel, since only the IDF have tanks and Hamas does not.

Internet says that it was not a normal “death”, as the MEA has described it in its press release, but rather Kale was murdered by the Israeli army. Netizens demand that the External Ministry should have “courage to who killed him”.

यह सामान्य “मौत” नहीं है. उसकी हत्या की गई थी। भारतीय सेना के पूर्व अधिकारी की इजराइल ने हत्या कर दी. यह बताने का साहस करो कि उसे किसने मारा। संयुक्त राष्ट्र ने पुष्टि की है कि गोलीबारी में संयुक्त राष्ट्र के कर्मचारी कर्नल वैब की मौत हो गई

— Iqbal Khan 🇮🇳 (@Iqbal28051234) May 15, 2024

The 46-year-old Kale was killed while he was travelling to the European Hospital in Rafah. They were attacked while travelling in a United Nations vehicle. He was working for the United Nations Department of Safety and Security (DSS). Another female DSS staff from Jordan, who was travelling with Kale was injured during the attack. His death marks the first casualty among UN’s international staff in Gaza since the beginning of the current Israel-Palestine war.