India regrets the death of its UN worker in Rafah and will monitor the investigation of the incident

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May 15. (EUROPA PRESS) –

The Indian Government has expressed its condolences for the death in the Gazan city of Rafá of a citizen and United Nations worker, and has warned that it will be awaiting the results of the investigation into what happened.

The deceased has been identified as retired Army Colonel Waibhav Anil Kale, 46, an employee of the United Nations Department of Security (DSS), who died in a military attack zone. Kale, who retired from the Indian Army in June 2022. He was a counter-terrorism specialist who also served as a UN peacekeeper.

Kale’s death is the first time a UN international staff member has been killed in the war between Israel and Hamas.

The Israeli Army reported this Tuesday that it is already investigating the incident and has specified that the vehicle in which the worker was traveling was hit “in an area defined as an active combat zone.” Likewise, he has indicated that the route was not known beforehand and has declined to confirm who opened fire.

Thus, the Indian Foreign Ministry has announced the beginning of the process of assisting in the repatriation of the body. “We will be in contact with the relevant authorities regarding the investigation of the incident,” Foreign Affairs said in a statement.