The Israeli Defence Forces, IDF has provided why its forces shelled a UN vehicle resulting in the death of a staff.
In a statement, Spokesman of the IDF, Read Admiral Daniel Hagari said the UN official was killed because there were terrorists very close to the UN vehicles and gunfire in an UNRWA compound in eastern Rafah.
During IDF operational activity in eastern Rafah on Saturday, terrorists were identified in UNRWA’s central logistics compound alongside UN vehicles.
“In the footage, a number of terrorists and gunfire can be seen near UN vehicles and in the area of UNRWA’s logistics warehouse compound in eastern Rafah, which is a central point for the distribution of aid on UNRWA’s behalf in the Gaza Strip”, the IDF said.
It added that following the event, representatives of the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) conveyed the findings to senior officials in the international community and called on the UN to conduct an urgent investigation into the matter.
“In addition, COGAT representatives warned the UN against the presence of terrorists in the area, and the seriousness of the danger that exists in the presence of the terrorists in the logistics center compound with regard to the continued protection of the organization’s facilities.
“The IDF will continue to act in accordance with international law to distribute aid to the residents of the Gaza Strip.
So far, the UN has called for investigation of the circumstances surround the death of their staff.
According to Deputy Spokesman of the UN, Farhan Haq, the UN vehicle was enroute European hospital in Rafah when the attack occurred. He said beside a staff member that was killed, a DSS staff was also injured. READ THE FULL ARTICLE
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