WHO Driver Killed by Israeli Gunfire in Gaza, IDF Provides Conflicting Narrative
A Palestinian man employed by the United Nations Health body, the World Health Organization, was fatally shot by Israeli gunfire in Gaza on Monday, April 6, according to statements from his colleagues and a medical professional who received his body. The incident has sparked outrage and accusations of a war crime, further straining tensions in the region.
Details of the Fatal Incident on Salah al-Din Road
Dr. Fathi Al-Loulou reported that Majdi Aslan, aged 54, was operating an "internationally assigned vehicle with international markings" along Salah al-Din Road, the primary north-south thoroughfare in Gaza, when it came under fire. Raed Aslan, another WHO employee, informed CNN that the vehicle was en route to evacuate patients at the time of the attack. He emphasized that the vehicle was clearly marked with the World Health Organization logo "from all sides," contradicting Israeli claims.
Israel Defense Forces Statement and Preliminary Investigation
The Israel Defense Forces issued a statement that did not acknowledge the death, offering a differing version of events. The IDF asserted that its troops "identified an unmarked vehicle approaching them and the Yellow Line, posing an immediate threat," referring to the boundary between Israeli-controlled Gaza and the rest of the strip. "In response, the troops fired warning shots. The vehicle continued to accelerate toward the troops, who then responded with additional fire that hit the vehicle. A preliminary check indicated that two local Gazan employees of the WHO were present in the vehicle and injured," the statement added, without confirming fatalities.
WHO Response and Calls for Investigation
WHO Director General Tedros Ghebreyesu expressed that the organization was "devastated" to confirm Aslan's death in a "security incident," noting that two WHO staffers were present but not injured. Ghebreyesu did not explicitly name Israeli forces in his statement, stating, "The incident is under investigation by the relevant authorities." Aslan's body was transferred to Al Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in central Gaza, with social media footage depicting grief-stricken men crowding around him, including one shouting, "Wake up, dad, wake up!" in disbelief.
Accusations of War Crimes and Broader Context
Dr. Al-Loulou condemned the shooting, stating, "He works for an international organization, under international sponsorship, but the occupation is merciless and indiscriminate...it was a targeted attack," and labeled it a war crime. This incident occurs as the region marks six months since a ceasefire came into effect in Gaza, which aid organizations argue exists in name only. Since the ceasefire began, over 700 Palestinians have been killed, including at least 100 children, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health. The WHO reports that more than 18,500 critical patients still require medical evacuation out of Gaza, including approximately 4,000 children, underscoring the urgent humanitarian crisis.
