The UNICEF has condemned the killing of two drivers contracted to deliver clean water to vulnerable families in the Gaza Strip, describing the incident as “outrageous” and a violation of international humanitarian law.
In a statement issued on Saturday, UNICEF said the two men were killed by Israeli fire early in the morning at the Mansoura water filling point in northern Gaza. Two other individuals were injured during the incident.
“UNICEF is outraged by the killing of two drivers of trucks contracted by UNICEF to provide clean water to families in the Gaza Strip,” the agency said, extending condolences to the bereaved families.
According to the agency, the victims were engaged in routine water trucking operations at the time of the attack, with no changes in their movement or procedures.
The Mansoura facility is currently the only operational truck filling point linked to the Mekorot water supply line serving Gaza City. UNICEF and its humanitarian partners rely on the site multiple times daily to sustain water deliveries to hundreds of thousands of residents, many of them children.
Following the incident, UNICEF said contractors had been instructed to suspend all on-site activities until security conditions improve.
The agency called on Israel authorities to launch an immediate investigation into the incident and ensure accountability for those responsible.
“Humanitarian workers, essential service providers, and civilian infrastructure, including critical water facilities, must never be targeted,” the statement read.
UNICEF emphasized that the protection of civilians and personnel delivering life-saving aid remains a legal obligation under international humanitarian law.
