The humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip has worsened as fuel shortages cripple essential services. Late on Tuesday, the fourth humanitarian aid convoy entered Gaza through Egypt’s Rafah border crossing, bringing the total number of aid trucks to 62, according to the Palestinian Red Crescent Society. However, the United Nations has estimated that around 100 trucks per day are needed to meet the enclave’s basic needs.
The ongoing blockade has resulted in a “total siege,” with fuel notably absent from the aid shipments. The UN has warned that without fuel, local water desalination plants cannot operate, bakeries cannot bake bread, and hospitals struggle to provide critical care.
On Monday, scenes of desperation unfolded as residents lined up for hours at gas stations in hope of refueling. A resident captured by a CGTN Stringer shared his frustration: “For four consecutive days, I’ve come here and waited in line from 6 a.m. to midday, but I can’t even get one liter of petrol.”
The lack of fuel not only affects transportation but also hampers the delivery of humanitarian aid within Gaza. Essential services like electricity generation are compromised, exacerbating the living conditions of the population.
International organizations are calling for immediate action to alleviate the crisis. The UN emphasizes the urgent need for increased aid deliveries, including fuel supplies, to prevent a further humanitarian catastrophe in the region.
Reference(s):
Close-ups in Gaza Ep. 14: Six-hour queues with no gas refueled
cgtn.com
