U.N. faces fuel crisis, hindering aid deliveries to Gaza, humanitarian emergency looms

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The United Nations announced its inability to carry out aid deliveries to the Gaza Strip via the Rafah border crossing with Egypt due to a breakdown in communication within the Palestinian enclave and a critical shortage of fuel. The paralyzed aid efforts pose an immediate threat of starvation to the approximately 2.3 million residents in the conflict-ridden region.

UNRWA, the U.N. agency operating in Gaza, emphasized the severity of the situation, stating, “The communications network in #Gaza is down because there is NO fuel,” making it impossible to coordinate vital humanitarian aid convoys. UNRWA Commissioner General Philippe Lazzarini condemned the situation, asserting that humanitarian agencies should not be left begging for fuel when dealing with a large population facing life-threatening conditions.

The World Food Programme’s Executive Director, Cindy McCain, highlighted the scarcity of food and water in Gaza, with only a fraction of the required supplies reaching the region through borders. Israel’s previous restrictions on fuel shipments, citing concerns of hoarding by Hamas, exacerbated the crisis, prompting limited fuel shipments this week for UNRWA.

Despite Israel’s approval of daily fuel shipments for U.N. needs, UNRWA reported not receiving any fuel, underlining the urgent need for a minimum of 120,000 liters daily for humanitarian operations. Fuel shortages have persisted for five weeks, forcing the agency to plead for essential resources.

In response to growing pressure, Israel’s war cabinet approved the delivery of significant fuel quantities through the Rafah crossing, with 140,000 liters every 48 hours. Of these, 120,000 liters will support UNRWA’s humanitarian deliveries and critical operations, while an additional 20,000 liters will power essential communication infrastructure in Gaza.

U.S. officials, including Secretary of State Antony Blinken, engaged in urgent diplomacy to expedite fuel deliveries, warning of a looming humanitarian catastrophe in southern Gaza. The deliveries, crucial for addressing the dire conditions, were finally approved after intensive diplomatic efforts.

Israeli officials had previously linked fuel deliveries to hostage negotiations, but recent developments indicated a shift in approach. A modest amount of fuel entered Gaza on Wednesday for UN aid distribution. The toll of the conflict is grim, with over 11,000 Palestinians reported dead since its inception, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledging challenges in minimizing civilian casualties due to Hamas’s tactics.

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