UN warns Israeli-imposed shortage of fuel in Gaza can shut down relief help

UNITED NATIONS: The United Nations warned Monday that the humanitarian situation in the Israeli-blockaded Gaza Strip is growing more dire, as trucks transporting desperately needed aid into the enclave could stop rolling Tuesday due to a lack of fuel, a senior official with the UN humanitarian affairs office, OCHA, has warned.

The situation is unfolding as “lives are hanging by a thread”, including those of babies in incubators at hospitals that depend on fuel for electricity, Andrea De Domenico, Head of OCHA’s office in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, told reporters at UN headquarters in New York.

“Humanitarian ceasefire, fuel supplies – all of these should be happening now. We are running out of time before really facing major disaster,” he said, speaking via video-link from Jerusalem.

The UN continues to address the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza since Hamas militants launched deadly attacks against Israel six weeks ago and seized some 240 hostages, including babies and older persons.

Israel’s retaliatory response to Hamas’ action on October 7 has included continued bombardment, electricity and communications blackouts, and restrictions in accessing the enclave, which is home to 2.2 million people, some 1.5 million of whom have displaced mostly to the south.

Thousands have been killed, including 101 staff from the UN agency that assists Palestine refugees, UNRWA. They were remembered during a minute of silence observed by personnel across the UN system worldwide.

This past weekend saw intensified fighting around Al-Shifa Hospital, the largest in the Gaza Strip, said De Domenico. Critical infrastructure was damaged, such as water tanks, oxygen stations, the cardiovascular facility, and the maternity ward. Three nurses reportedly were killed.

The Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS) also reported on Sunday that Al Quds Hospital in Gaza City – the second largest in the enclave – was no longer operational due to damage to the main generator line, which could not be fixed.

“In any case, PRCS told us that they have fuel only for 24 hours, and any possibility of looking (for) or finding fuel was almost impossible and very dangerous given that there were snipers shooting in and around the hospital,” he continued.

Efforts were underway to evacuate seven intensive care patients and four babies in incubators, he said. While some staff and patients have managed to flee the hospital, others remain trapped inside either because they fear leaving or are unable to do so for medical reasons.

De Domenico underscored the critical need for fuel and medical supplies in Gaza, noting that some patients had already died, while access to water and food had become increasingly difficult.

OCHA teams have observed the movement of some 10,000 people from north Gaza who have headed south following evacuation orders issued by Israel. People are arriving mainly by foot. They are thirsty, exhausted, and often have no concrete idea on where they will be staying, with shelters already overstretched.

On Sunday, 76 trucks delivered aid into Gaza through the Rafah crossing with Egypt, an arrangement that has been in place since 21 October. On board were health supplies, bottled water, blankets, tents and hygiene products. To date some 980 trucks have made the journey but is still far below the level needed.

“Actually, instead of a much-needed increase of this assistance, we have been informed by the colleagues of UNRWA that due to the lack of fuel, as of tomorrow the operations of receiving trucks will no longer be possible,” he said.

“Operational conditions in general are deteriorating by the hour,” he added.

He said “We have no fuel, no comms, and no guarantee of respecting UN premises or in any case notify(ing) premises, which is of course reducing progressively our ability to operate.”

UN agencies continue to amplify the Secretary-General’s call for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza, the unconditional release of all hostages, and sustained and continued aid access to people in need, wherever they are located.