'Israel' allows PR fuel into Gaza, but bans it for hospitals
2 Min Read
The Israeli occupation's ban on fuel entry has been imposed since October 7, while the amount allowed today does not even cover the minimum basic survival necessities of the Strip's population.
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A Palestinian doctor uses a cell phone flashlight to treat a patient in a hospital in Gaza, on Monday, November 13, 2023. (AFP)
After over one month of a total Israeli ban on fuel into Gaza, subsequently causing a collapse in the medical sector, among other survival requirements for 2.2 million Palestinians, the Israeli occupation allowed the entry of fuel of Gaza, but prohibited its delivery to hospitals.
The first truck carrying the energy commodity entered the Strip on Wednesday coming from Egypt, UN officials confirmed.
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According to the director of the UN relief agency in Gaza (UNRWA), 24,000 liters (approximately 6,340 gallons) of diesel fuel arrived in Gaza today - half a tanker's load - which barely scratches the surface of the 2.2 million population's survival needs.
"This is only 9% of what we need daily to sustain lifesaving activities," Tom White said, commenting on the fuel delivery.
Humanitarian workers have been sounding the alarm about fuel shortages in hospitals for weeks now.
PR move to ease pressure
UNRWA declared on Tuesday that the situation in Gaza is out of its hands, and thus it will be halting its humanitarian operations across the Strip in the next 48 hours (by Thursday) due to the Israeli ban on the entry of fuel.
The Israeli measure is widely seen as a means to ease international pressure on the occupation entity, which is growing in Western countries, as massacres and war crimes continue to be filmed and released on social media platforms and broadcasting networks.
Read more: Gazan genocide: 'Israel' murders 800+ in Gaza hospital bombing
Most of Gaza's hospitals, alongside dozens of medical centers, have been forced to shut down operations, either due to damage incurred in Israeli bombings, or after running out of fuel.
The fuel scarcity and ongoing Israeli strikes have already led to the shutdown of other essential services in Gaza, including bakeries, sewage stations, water desalination plants, wells and most recently telecommunication services.
"This is not enough for anything – not for hospitals, not even for aid deliveries," a human rights source said according to Reuters.
Read more: Israelis offer war criminal Tony Blair to be Gaza humanitarian coord.
