The Israeli military is currently reviewing reports that one of its shells struck a water maintenance team working in southern Gaza on Saturday. According to a statement from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), a tank fired a shell to disperse 'several suspicious figures approximately one kilometer away from the border with Israel in the southern Gaza Strip.' The IDF acknowledged that there are reports indicating the shell hit a Coastal Municipalities Water Utility team that was in the area and had coordinated their presence with the IDF. As a result, the military is investigating the incident.
Munther Shablaq, the head of the Coastal Municipalities Water Utility in Gaza, confirmed that two engineers and two technicians from his authority were targeted while carrying out their duties to serve the residents of Khuzaa. The vehicle they were using was clearly marked with the logo and identification numbers of the Coastal Municipalities Water Utility, which is well-known for its water service operations.
Earlier today, Oxfam strongly condemned the killing of the four water engineers in Gaza. These engineers were working on essential services to maintain Gaza's fragile infrastructure in collaboration with Oxfam's partner in the region, as stated by the charity.
