UNICEF has condemned the killing of two water truck drivers by Israel in Gaza and called for an immediate investigation, warning that the incident disrupts vital aid for hundreds of thousands of people.
The agency said the two men, contracted to deliver clean water, were killed by Israeli fire on 17 April at the Mansoura water filling point in northern Gaza. Two others were injured in the same incident during routine operations.
UNICEF said it was “outraged” by the deaths and extended condolences to the families. The agency confirmed that the drivers were carrying out scheduled water deliveries with no changes to routes or procedures at the time.
“The victims were killed by Israeli fire,” UNICEF said in a statement. “Humanitarian workers, essential service providers, and civilian infrastructure must never be targeted.”
The Mansoura site serves as the only operational truck filling point linked to the Mekorot water supply line for Gaza City. Aid groups rely on the location several times each day to deliver water to large sections of the population, including displaced families and children.
Following the incident, UNICEF suspended all activity at the site. Contractors received instructions to halt operations until security conditions improve. The agency warned that the pause places pressure on an already limited water supply network.
UNICEF said the Israeli attack threatens the delivery of essential services. It stated that many residents depend on trucked water for daily use, as infrastructure across Gaza has faced sustained damage.
The agency called on Israeli authorities to open an investigation and “ensure full accountability”. It said the protection of civilians and those providing aid forms part of obligations under international humanitarian law.
The wider humanitarian community also condemned the killings. The Humanitarian Country Team, which includes United Nations agencies and aid partners, said the drivers were delivering “essential water supplies” at the time.
“Such attacks not only cost lives but also disrupt critical services that communities depend on for survival,” the group said in a statement.
The team urged all parties to take steps to protect civilians and humanitarian operations. It warned that continued incidents risk further disruption to aid delivery across the territory.
The killings come amid ongoing violence in Gaza. Palestinian health authorities report that more than 72,000 people have died since Israel launched its genocidal war against Palestinians in October 2023. Hundreds have also been killed by Israeli forces since a “ceasefire” brokered by the United States and Qatar took effect last year.
In the occupied West Bank, separate incidents continue to be reported. Palestinian officials said a 25-year-old man, Muhammad Ahmad Suwaiti, was shot dead by Israeli forces. The Israeli military said it had killed a person it described as an attacker near a settlement, without confirming identity.
UNICEF said the latest incident in Gaza highlights the risks faced by those delivering aid. It repeated its demand for accountability and stressed that humanitarian work must proceed without threat.
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