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 Rafah when his vehicle came under fire in Khan Younis.
Another UNDSS staff was seriously injured. It was not immediately clear who was behind the attack on the clearly marked UN vehicle.
Kale 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 Antonio Guterres called for a “full investigation” into it. 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 the country, including ‘field areas’ in Kashmir and northeast, before he took premature retirement in 2022.
“Kale was a jovial, enthusiastic all-rounder,” an Indian Army officer said.
Kale served in J&K and Northeast, took early retirement in 2022
Commissioned into the 11 J&K Rifles after passing out of Indian Military Academy in June 2000, Kale had served in different parts of the country, 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 United Nations 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 added.
