Gaza runs out of fuel after Israel closes borders

The Israeli army closed all border crossings to Gaza on Saturday, after announcing airstrikes on Iran carried out with the US.

The Israeli authorities announced late on Monday night that they will reopen the Kerem Shalom crossing between Israel and Gaza on Tuesday for the “gradual entry of humanitarian aid” into the Strip, without specifying how many.

Israeli authorities have previously said that the crossings cannot be safely used during wartime.

Sufficient supplies for a few more days

Gaza is completely dependent on fuel that comes by truck from Israel and Egypt, and the lack of new supplies would endanger the operation of hospitals and threaten the water supply and sanitary services, warn local officials. Most Palestinians in Gaza are internally displaced after Israel’s two-year war with Hamas militants.

“I expect we have maybe a few more days of work,” said Karuna Herrmann, director of the United Nations Office for Project Services in Jerusalem, which manages fuel distribution in Gaza.

Amjad Al-Shawa, the Palestinian humanitarian chief in Gaza who works with the UN and non-governmental organizations, estimated that fuel supplies could last three to four days, while stocks of vegetables, flour and other basic necessities could also run out soon if the crossings remain closed.

Reuters could not independently confirm those estimates.

The Israeli military agency COGAT, which controls access to Gaza, announced that since the beginning of the ceasefire in October, enough food has been delivered to the territory for the needs of the population.

“It is expected that the existing stocks will be sufficient for a longer period,” stated COGAT, without providing additional clarifications. He declined to comment on possible fuel shortages.

The truce was part of a broader plan supported by the United States to end the war, which includes reopening the Rafah border crossing with Egypt, increasing the flow of aid to the enclave and its reconstruction.

Hamada Abu Laila, a displaced Palestinian in Gaza, said the closures fueled fears of a return to famine, which struck parts of the enclave last year after Israel blocked aid deliveries for 11 weeks.

“Why is it our fault in Gaza for regional wars between Israel, Iran and America? It’s not our fault,” said Abu Laila.