UN agency condemns killing of staff member by Israeli forces

The UN's Palestine refugee agency on Monday condemned the killing of one of its staff members by Israeli troops in the occupied Palestinian territory, a UN spokesman told reporter here.

"The UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) deeply regrets to confirm that one of its staff members was shot dead by Israeli forces in an operation in Qalandiya Refugee Camp in the occupied West Bank this morning," said Farhan Haq, associate spokesperson for UN secretary-general, at the daily briefing.

The victim, whose name was not disclosed, was said to be a 34- year-old father of four. He was on his way to work and was not engaged in any violent activity when the tragedy struck, said Haq. Another staff member of the UNRWA was also shot in the leg during the same operation but is in a stable condition.

The attack took place during an Israeli incursion into Qalandiya Refugee Camp, killing three people in all and injuring about 20 others, including the two UNRWA casualties.

UNRWA "condemns the killing of its staff member and calls on all sides, at this delicate time, to exercise maximum restraint and to act in accordance with obligations under international law, " Haq said.

Further investigation by UNRWA is underway.

According to media reports, the Palestinians have officially suspended a fourth round of direct peace talks with Israel in protest of the killings of three Palestinians, including a staff member of UNRWA, earlier Monday

Established by the UN General Assembly in 1949, UNRWA is mandated to provide assistance, protection and advocacy for some 5 million registered Palestine refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria and the occupied Palestinian territory. It is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions from UN member states.