UNICEF ‘outraged’ by killing of Gaza water truck drivers, urges investigation

In a statement issued on Friday, the agency warned that the incident threatens vital humanitarian operations supplying clean water to hundreds of thousands of people.

“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.

The two men were killed by Israeli fire early Friday at the Mansoura water filling point in northern Gaza, in an incident that also left two others injured. UNICEF said the attack occurred during routine water trucking operations, with no changes in movement or procedures.

The Mansoura site is currently the only operational truck filling point for the Mekorot water supply line serving Gaza City. It is used multiple times daily by UNICEF and humanitarian partners to sustain critical water deliveries to large segments of the population, including children.

Onsite activities suspended

Following the incident, UNICEF said its contractors have been instructed to suspend onsite activities until security conditions improve.

The agency called on Israeli authorities to “immediately investigate this incident, and ensure full accountability,” stressing that “humanitarian workers, essential service providers, and civilian infrastructure, including critical water facilities, must never be targeted.”

“The protection of civilians and those delivering life-saving assistance is an obligation under international humanitarian law,” the statement added.

Humanitarian team denounces killing

The killing has also drawn condemnation from the wider humanitarian community operating in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

The Humanitarian Country Team – a forum led by the UN Humanitarian Coordinator that brings together UN agencies and humanitarian partners – said the two men were killed while delivering “essential water supplies” during routine operations to support displaced and vulnerable communities.

“Such attacks not only cost lives but also disrupt critical services that communities depend on for survival,” the group said in a statement.

It called on all parties to take immediate steps to ensure the safety of civilians and humanitarian operations.