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

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

“UNICEF angry over the murder of two truck drivers contracted by UNICEF to provide clean water to families in the Gaza Strip,” the agency said.

The two men were killed by Israeli gunfire early Friday at the Mansoura water filling station in northern Gaza, in an incident that also left two other people injured. UNICEF said the attack occurred during a routine water transport operation, with no changes in movements or procedures.

The Mansoura location is currently the only operational truck filling point for the Mekorot water supply line serving Gaza City. It is used many times every day by UNICEF and humanitarian partners to maintain critical water supplies to large parts of society, including children.

Activities at the location have been stopped

Following the incident, UNICEF said its contractors had been instructed to halt activities at the site until security conditions improved.

The agency called on Israeli authorities to “immediately investigate this incident, and ensure full accountability,” and stressed that “humanitarian workers, essential service providers, and civilian infrastructure, including critical water facilities, should not be targeted.”

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

The humanitarian team condemned the killings

The killings also drew condemnation from the wider humanitarian community operating in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

The Country Humanitarian 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 “vital water supplies” during routine operations to support displaced and vulnerable communities.

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

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