UN warns that Gaza’s fuel supplies will run out in three days
UN fuel supplies in Gaza could run out in three days, a senior official has warned.
“In three days, UNRWA will run out of fuel, which is critical to our humanitarian response across the Gaza Strip,” said Philip Lazzarini, the United Nations High Commissioner for Palestine Refugees in the Middle East, in a statement. (UNRWA)
“Without fuel, there would be no water, no functioning hospitals or bakeries. Without fuel, many civilians in need would not receive aid. Without fuel, there would be no humanitarian aid.”
According to Egyptian border officials, 20 aid trucks were able to cross Rafah from Egypt into Gaza on Saturday, delivering food, water, medicine and medical supplies, but not fuel.
Lazzarini stressed that as “the largest humanitarian actor in the Gaza Strip”, without fuel, UNRWA would “have increased needs for the people of Gaza for hours”.
“UNRWA is currently serving more than half a million displaced people across the Gaza Strip,” he added.
“I call on all parties and those with influence over them to immediately allow fuel to be delivered to Gaza and to ensure that the fuel is used strictly to avoid a collapse of the humanitarian response,” Laszarini continued.
Although he welcomed Saturday’s convoy to Gaza, he insisted the supplies delivered were “not enough” and said “to be meaningful, Gaza needs an uninterrupted and expanded line of humanitarian supplies.”
