JERUSALEM: Two civilian contractors delivering water for the UN children’s fund were shot dead by Israeli troops in northern Gaza, Unicef said on Saturday, expressing fury over the deaths the previous day.

“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.

When contacted by AFP, the Israeli military claimed that the troops saw “two armed terrorists in the area of the Yellow Line” approaching, so they “opened fire”.

Israel military claims troops opened fire on ‘two armed terrorists’

The army said the incident was “under review”.

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, which operates under Hamas authority, reported an overall death toll of 72,549 since October 2023. That number includes 773 Palestinians killed since the Gaza ceasefire came into effect on Oct 10, 2025.

Israeli army claims

On Saturday, the Israeli army said troops had opened fire in two incidents in the Gaza Strip’s north and south, eliminating “two infiltrators who crossed the Yellow Line and approached the forces posing an immediate threat”.

Published in Dawn, April 20th, 2026