Waibhav Anil Kale, a former Indian Army colonel serving as an observer with UN’s department of safety and security (UNDSS), was killed in war torn Gaza last week. Kale (46), survived by his wife and two teenage children who live in Pune, had joined UN barely a month ago and was headed for European Hospital in restive Rafah when his vehicle came under fire in Khan Younis. Another UNDSS staffer was injured. It is unclear who was behind the attack on the clearly marked UN vehicle. The Indian is the global organisation’s “first international casualty” in Gaza since the latest Israel-Hamas conflict erupted on Oct 7, 2023.
Condemning the incident, UN secretary general António Guterres called for a “full investigation” into it, while iterating his “urgent appeal for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and the release of all hostages”. Noting that over 190 UN staffers have been killed in Gaza till date, he said, “humanitarian workers must be protected.” Israel has reportedly launched an inquiry into the attack.
Commissioned into the 11 J&K Rifles after passing out of Indian Military Academy in June 2000, Kale had served in different parts of India, including ‘field areas’ in Kashmir and northeast, before he took premature retirement in 2022.
“Kale was a jovial, enthusiastic all-rounder. Before joining UNDSS, he worked in Amazon,” an Indian Army officer said.
UNDSS undersecretary general Gilles Michaud said, “Waibhav had been with our department for only a few weeks. I had the pleasure of meeting him in Gaza the day after he arrived to take up his post after a distinguished career in the Indian military and private sector and service as a UN peacekeeper.”
“He told me that he had joined UN because it seemed the best way to make a difference. And Waibhav did make a difference. He signed up to work in support of people who desperately need help in the most dangerous place, at a time of unimaginable crisis. This speaks volumes about his character. His contribution will not be forgotten,” Michaud said.
