SECRETARY-GENERAL CONDEMNS KILLING OF UN STAFF MEMBER
BY ISRAELI SOLDIERS IN WEST BANK
The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:
The Secretary-General is saddened and distressed by the death of Kamal Hamdan, a staff member of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).� He was killed late this afternoon when several bullets were fired by Israeli soldiers on an UNRWA ambulance in which he was riding near Tulkarm in the West Bank.� Mr. Hamdan is the first United Nations staff member to be killed since the current violence between Israelis and Palestinians began in September 2000.
The Secretary-General condemns this killing, which has occurred despite repeated letters of protest from UNRWA Commissioner-General Peter Hansen to the Israeli Government about the damage sustained by UNRWA facilities as a result of earlier attacks by Israeli Defence Forces against Palestinian targets.� He appeals to the Government of Israel to thoroughly investigate the incident and to take the necessary action against those responsible.� He believes that this tragedy serves as a graphic reminder of the need for the parties to respect international humanitarian law and provide security for all civilians, including the staff of international and non-governmental organizations active in the region.
The Secretary-General wishes to convey his deepest sympathy and condolences to Mr. Hamdan’s family.
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