The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has expressed outrage following the killing of two contracted drivers who were delivering clean water to civilians in Gaza, calling on Israeli authorities to conduct a full investigation and ensure accountability.
Incident at Mansoura Water Filling Point
According to a UNICEF statement, the attack took place on Friday morning during routine water trucking operations at the Mansoura water filling point in northern Gaza — a site that supplies water to Gaza City. In addition to the two drivers killed, two other individuals sustained injuries in the incident.
In response, UNICEF announced it had suspended all activities at the site pending an investigation.
"Humanitarian workers, essential service providers, and civilian infrastructure, including critical water facilities, must never be targeted."
The agency further emphasised that "the protection of civilians and those delivering life-saving assistance is an obligation under international humanitarian law."
Broader Context of the Conflict
The killings come amid a fragile and contested ceasefire in Gaza. More than 750 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces since a US- and Qatar-brokered ceasefire took effect last October, according to Palestinian health authorities.
Since Israel launched its military campaign in Gaza on 7 October 2023, following a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel, more than 72,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to the same authorities.
Killing Also Reported in the West Bank
Separately, a Palestinian man was shot and killed by Israeli forces in Khirbet Salama in the occupied West Bank, according to the official Palestinian news agency WAFA. The victim, Muhammad Ahmad Suwaiti, 25, was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Israeli military stated that a person carrying a knife near the illegal settlement of Negohot had been "identified and eliminated in a rapid response," using the biblical term Judea and Samaria when referring to the West Bank. The military did not specify who carried out the killing.
Since the start of the Gaza war in October 2023, Israeli forces and settlers have killed more than 1,060 Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health.
What Happens Next
UNICEF's suspension of operations at the Mansoura water filling point raises immediate concerns about civilian access to clean water in northern Gaza. The agency has urged Israeli authorities to investigate the incident promptly and ensure that those responsible are held fully accountable, reinforcing its call for the protection of humanitarian personnel operating in active conflict zones.
