Two contracted lorry drivers delivering clean water in Gaza have been killed by Israeli gunfire, prompting the UN children’s agency to suspend activities at the site where the incident occurred. The drivers were carrying out routine water distribution on Friday morning when they were struck near a filling point on al-Mansoura Street in Gaza City, an area already strained by the ongoing genocidal war.

According to the agency, the location targeted is currently the only functioning water-loading station connected to the Mekorot supply line serving Gaza City. The drivers had been operating under standard procedures, with no reported changes to movement patterns or security coordination at the time of the shooting. Their deaths have intensified concerns over the safety of essential service providers working amid the continuing violence.

In response, all contracted operations at the site have been suspended until conditions are deemed safe enough to resume. The agency has called for an immediate investigation and full accountability, stressing that humanitarian workers, critical civilian infrastructure, and those delivering life-sustaining services such as water must never be targeted under any circumstances.