Palestinians squatting near Beach Camp north-west of the Gaza City gather around a UNICEF truck carrying tanked water. Photo courtesy UNICEF
"UNICEF is outraged by the killing of two drivers of trucks contracted by UNICEF to provide clean water to families in the Gaza Strip," it said in a statement.
UNICEF said the incident took place at the Mansoura water filling point in northern Gaza, which is "the only operational truck filling point for the Mekorot water supply line serving Gaza City".
"The incident, in which two other people were injured, occurred during routine water trucking operations, with no changes in movement or procedures," it said, adding that the point was used "multiple times a day" by UNICEF and its humanitarian partners.
Following the incident, all activities at the filling point had been suspended, it said, urging the Israeli authorities to "immediately investigate" the incident and ensure those responsible be held accountable.
"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," UNICEF said.
Earlier on Saturday, Gaza's health ministry released an updated death toll saying Israel's genocidal war on Gaza has killed at least 72,549, with more than 172,000 wounded since October 2023.
That number includes 766 Palestinians killed since the Gaza ceasefire that should have halted Israeli attacks came into effect on October 10.
Short link: