UN boss expresses outrage over killing of agency’s security worker in Gaza

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

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

The 53-year-old senior project 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 Mr Guterres called for a full investigation into the attacks.

He said, “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.’’

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

He confirmed that the security officer 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 were killed in the war, bringing the total number to 188.