UNRWA says Gaza is running out of fuel

The Gaza Strip is set to run out of fuel in three days, according to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) on Sunday.

“Without fuel, there will be no water, no functioning hospitals and bakeries. Without fuel, aid will not reach many civilians in desperate need. Without fuel, there will be no humanitarian assistance,” UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini said.

He said the lack of fuel will add to the struggle of children, women and people of Gaza.

“Without fuel, we will fail the people of Gaza whose needs are growing by the hour, under our watch. This cannot and should not happen,” Lazzarini said.

He called on all parties concerned to immediately allow fuel supplies into the Gaza Strip and to ensure that fuel is strictly used to prevent a collapse of the humanitarian response.

Lazzarini welcomed the convoy of aid into Gaza but said it is “far from enough.”

Israel has imposed a “complete siege” on the Palestinian territory since the October 7 terrorist attack by Hamas, cutting off the densely populated Mediterranean coastal strip from food, fuel, medicines, water and other essential supplies, leading to fears of a humanitarian catastrophe.