KABUL: The UNICEF says it is “deeply outraged” following the killing and injury of four of its contracted workers by Israeli forces in the Gaza Strip.
In a statement issued early Saturday, UNICEF reported that two drivers delivering water to hundreds of thousands of Palestinian civilians were shot dead while filling water at the Mansoura site in northern Gaza, and two other workers were wounded in the same incident.
Following the attack, UNICEF announced it had suspended water distribution operations to hundreds of thousands of war-affected people in Gaza and called on Israel to conduct an immediate investigation and ensure full accountability.
The agency emphasized that the incident occurred during a routine water delivery operation, with no changes in route or procedure. It added that the Mansoura water filling point is currently a critical and sole hub for supplying drinking water to large parts of the population through humanitarian partners.
UNICEF stressed that humanitarian workers, essential service providers, and civilian infrastructure, including vital water facilities must never be targeted. It reiterated that protecting civilians and those delivering life-saving aid is a fundamental obligation under international humanitarian law.
Israeli forces have previously faced accusations of targeting international humanitarian workers in Gaza.