"Safe Assumption To Make" Its From Israel; UN On The Killing Of Former Indian Army Officer In Gaza (file image)
Colonel Waibhav Anil Kale, former Indian Army officer was killed by Israeli attack in Gaza. He was working for the United Nations Department of Safety and Security (DSS) while the vehicle he was travelling was attacked. Reportedly, Kale”s death marks the first casualty among UN”s international staff in Gaza since the beginning of the current Israel-Palestine war.
The 46-year-old army veteran was killed while he was travelling to the European Hospital in Rafah. They were attacked while travelling in a United Nations vehicle. Another female DSS staff from Jordan, who was travelling with Kale was injured during the attack.
He was travelling in a Level 6 bulletproof UN-marked vehicle while it came under attack. As per media report, the Level 6 bulletproof vehicles can offer protection from ammunition up to 7.62 mm, and Kale”s death means the weapons used were heavier.
UN expressed “apologies and our condolences to the Government and people of India”. Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that UN has established a fact-finding panel to look into the incident. While appreciating India for its contribution, Haq said the investigation is still at its early stage and “details of the incident are still being verified with the Israeli Defence Force (IDF)”, as reported by PTI.
The spokesperson said UN is in discussion with Israel to determine how the attack took place and the nature of the attack. While saying that its too early to determine where the attack came from, Haq said 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.
When asked about whether Israel has apologised and UN perceive the attack as a deliberate one, Haq said the issue is “still under review”.
The Permanent Mission of India to the UN expressed its “deep condolences”. Taking to X (formerly twitter), it said, “Our deepest condolences are with the family during this difficult time”.
We are deeply saddened by the loss of Col Waibhav Kale, working for the UN Department of Safety and Security in Gaza. Our deepest condolences are with the family during this difficult time.https://t.co/rBRvG1wuRw
— India at UN, NY (@IndiaUNNewYork) May 14, 2024
UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres expressed his condolences and called for an “immediate humanitarian ceasefire and the release of all the hostages”. Citing the 190 UN staff that has been killed during the Israel”s brutal and bloody war, he said, humanitarian workers must be protected.
Today a @UN vehicle was struck in Gaza, killing one of our colleagues & injuring another.
More than 190 UN staff have been killed in Gaza.
Humanitarian workers must be protected.
I condemn all attacks on UN personnel and reiterate my urgent appeal for an immediate humanitarian…— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) May 13, 2024
Kale joined the UNDSS as a Security Coordination Officer two months ago and reached Gaza about a month ago. He retired from the Indian Army in 2022.
Reportedly, Kale had a distinguished military career spanning more than two decades. He was commissioned into the Jammu and Kashmir Rifles in June 2000 and earned the reputation of a brave and dedicated officer. Kale commanded 11 Jammu and Kashmir Rifles in Punjab and had also been part of the counter-insurgency unit in Jammu and Kashmir.
