The United Nations mentioned {that a} workers member was killed when certainly one of its convoys got here beneath hearth in Rafah on Monday. It was the primary time a world U.N. workers member has been killed in Gaza because the battle started in October.
The convoy, which the U.N. mentioned was clearly marked with the symbol of the group, was on its solution to the European Gaza Hospital in Khan Younis to evaluate the help and safety state of affairs when it got here beneath hearth, based on Farhan Haq, a U.N. spokesman.
One other workers member was injured within the assault, the U.N. mentioned.
The nationality of the killed employee, a person, was not instantly introduced. Jordan’s overseas ministry confirmed in an announcement that the injured workers member, a girl, was Jordanian and mentioned the incident was “a results of Israel’s growth of navy operations in Rafah,” including that Jordan “holds Israel liable for this.”
Along with the greater than 35,000 Palestinians killed in Israel’s struggle with Hamas, based on 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. workers members have been killed, Mr. Haq mentioned, all Palestinians aside from the workers member killed on Monday.
“Humanitarian staff should be protected,” António Guterres, the U.N. secretary common, mentioned in a submit on social media. “I condemn all assaults on U.N. personnel and reiterate my pressing attraction for a direct humanitarian cease-fire & the discharge of all hostages.”
One senior U.N. official, who was briefed on the incident by safety officers in Gaza, mentioned 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. automobiles when it got here beneath direct gunfire, mentioned 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 a couple of million folks fled to attempt to escape Israel’s navy offensive. Mr. Haq mentioned that 360,000 folks have fled Rafah since Israel issued an evacuation order every week in the past.
“We stay deeply involved in regards to the lack of safety for civilians and the shortage of security for humanitarian operations,” Mr. Haq mentioned. “Civilians should 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 services in southern Gaza on Monday, mentioned through textual content message that he had visited the European Gaza Hospital earlier within the day. Dr. Smith mentioned the emergency room was busy with screaming sufferers and medical workers working by means of the corridors.
He mentioned little or no support was out there to displaced folks looking for shelter and the scenes across the hospital had been bleak.
“Khan Younis has been decimated,” Dr. Smith mentioned.
The World Well being Group mentioned on Monday that the Israeli incursion into Rafah had jeopardized well being companies, with humanitarian staff unable to ship lifesaving medical provides.
Mr. Haq mentioned that the shortage of gasoline coming into Gaza stays one of many high challenges for humanitarian support work. Hospital turbines require no less than 46,000 liters of gasoline per day, and the necessity for gasoline will solely develop because the combating in Rafah expands, Mr. Haq mentioned.
Anushka Patil contributed reporting.
