Israeli Attack on UN Vehicle in Gaza Kills Palestinian Driver, Injures Jordanian Worker

On May 13, 2024, a United Nations vehicle came under attack in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, resulting in the death of a Palestinian driver working for the World Health Organization (WHO) and injuring a Jordanian employee. The incident has drawn strong condemnation from the Jordanian government, which holds Israel responsible for the attack as part of its ongoing military operations in the area.

Why this matters: This incident highlights the growing threat to humanitarian workers in conflict zones, undermining the delivery of essential aid to vulnerable populations. The attack also underscores the need for a peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, as the ongoing violence continues to have devastating consequences for civilians and aid workers alike.

According to medical sources, the WHO vehicle was targeted by Israeli forces in eastern Rafah, near the Rafah crossing with Egypt, a vital route for humanitarian aid into the besieged Gaza Strip. The injured Jordanian worker was rushed to the European Hospital in nearby Khan Younis for medical treatment.

The Israeli army has launched an investigation into the incident, acknowledging the attack that led to one death and one injury. However, Israeli public broadcaster KAN reported that it remains unclear whether Israeli forces or armed groups opened fire on the clearly marked UN vehicle.

Sufyan Qudah, spokesperson for the Jordanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, strongly denounced the attack, emphasizing the need to protect UN and aid workers who play a crucial humanitarian role for Palestinians amid the "unprecedented humanitarian disaster" in the Gaza Strip. The ministry is currently following up with the United Nations regarding the medical situation of the injured Jordanian citizen and working to secure her exit from the area.

The Gaza government also vehemently condemned the attack, labeling it an "atrocity" perpetrated by the Israeli occupation against both Palestinians and foreign aid workers. The government called upon the international community to denounce these "reprehensible acts".

This incident is the latest in a series of attacks on UN personnel and humanitarian workers in the Gaza Strip since the escalation of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in October 2023. According to figures from the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), at least 171 UN staff members have been killed since the start of Israel's devastating war on Gaza over seven months ago.

The attack on the WHO vehicle underscores the ongoing violence and humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, where hundreds of Palestinians, including women and children, have been forced to flee their homes in recent weeks due to Israeli military operations. As the international community calls for the protection of aid workers and civilians, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for a peaceful resolution to the long-standing conflict in the region.

Key Takeaways

• UN vehicle attacked in Gaza, killing WHO driver and injuring Jordanian employee.
• Incident condemned by Jordanian government, which holds Israel responsible.
• Attack highlights growing threat to humanitarian workers in conflict zones.
• 171 UN staff members killed in Gaza since October 2023, according to UNRWA.
• Incident underscores need for peaceful resolution to Israeli-Palestinian conflict.