Four Oxfam water engineers were killed in southern Gaza, who were on their way to repair water infrastructure. Their “clearly-marked vehicle” was bombed despite prior coordination with Israeli authorities, the aid group said.
The organisation said the four people, who were working with Oxfam partner the Coastal Municipalities Water Utility (CMWU), had had prior coordination with Israeli authorities of their movements, before they were killed in Khan Younis on their way to reparation works on Saturday. Oxfam stated:
“Despite prior coordination with Israeli authorities their clearly-marked vehicle was bombed.”
Oxfam called for accountability and an independent investigation into the incident, adding that dozens of engineers, civil and humanitarian workers have been killed in Israeli airstrikes throughout this Hamas-Israel war.
“They were all working on essential services to keep Gaza’s fragile infrastructure running. Despite their movements being coordinated with the Israeli authorities by the CMWU and the Palestinian Water Authority, to ensure their safety, they were still targeted. We reiterate our calls for a ceasefire, an immediate halt to arms transfers to Israel, and the international community to ensure Israel is held accountable for its continued assault on civilians and those working to deliver life-saving services.”
