The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) said its Gaza fuel depot is empty and – with fuel still not allowed into the enclave – its aid operation there “is gradually coming to an end,” APA reports citing CNN.
Philippe Lazzarini, the UNRWA commissioner-general, said no fuel had entered Gaza since October 7.
“Since then, we have heavily rationed the use of fuel and accessed pre-existing, limited amounts stored in a depot inside the Gaza Strip, through close coordination with Israeli authorities,” Lazzarini said. “The depot is now empty.”
“It is very simple. Without fuel, the humanitarian operation in Gaza is coming to an end. Many more people will suffer and will likely die,” Lazzarini said.
“It is unbelievable that humanitarian agencies have to beg for fuel and operate on life support … I appeal to all parties to make fuel available now and stop using humanitarian assistance for political or military gains,” he added.
Israel has refused to allow fuel to enter Gaza since the Hamas October 7 attack, saying it would only be used by the militant group in its fight against Israel.
The fuel blockade has resulted in a deepening humanitarian crisis as hospitals, water systems, bakeries and other services reliant on electricity shut down.
Follow us on Telegram
t.me/apanewsaz
Follow us on Instagram
Follow us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
