Gaza / PNN – Spokesman for the Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees, UNRWA, Adnan Abu Hassan, said efforts were underway by the Agency at all levels to supply fuel to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe in the Gaza Strip.

The UNRWA called on “Israel to allow the population to import fuel under international law.”

He called on the Palestinian factions to halt the resistance targeting crossings, saying they must refrain from attacks on border crossings, while he said that the security of the crossings is essential and there must be no resistance so that “we can introduce fuel and provisions of the Gaza Strip.”

He continued to say that his efforts now must provide for the Gaza Strip’s materials and fuel supply at the same time the Palestinians must ensure the security of those crossings and not be allowed to launch projectiles.

Abu Hassan said that Israel bears the responsibility for the continuation of the catastrophe in the Gaza Strip; stopping providing fuel and foodstuffs to about 700 thousand people.

The UNRWA announced a halt to all operations of relief food in the Gaza Strip on Thursday owing to the depletion of fuel.
Abu Hassan said that this stoppage will only include the distribution of food and rations, while other sectors such as education and health will continue, “but we have problems, there are many teachers, students, doctors and nurses who try to go to their destinations on foot and this caused a problem in attendance and the ability of young students to endure the absorption.”

He warned that there are important sectors in the Gaza Strip on the brink of collapse, a striking example is that there are 60 thousand cubic meters of untreated waste water pumped daily to the Gaza shore, and this material is very dangerous and poisonous. “Their are farmers there have no fuel in irrigation, as well as fishermen who have no fuel to run their boats, and the industrial sector is paralyzed completely, in addition to the failing dollar to the shekel.”

Abu Hassan said, "The depletion of fuel in a poor society and the destitute Gaza Strip will have serious consequences, we can not continue not to distribute the food aid ration and they do not have anything and they depend on assistance provided by UNRWA in a holistic manner.”

He said there are "unlimited repercussions and we all hope to see this crisis resolved early this week because all parties concerned do not want a problem or a humanitarian catastrophe in the Gaza Strip. Israel will bear the responsibility of everyone without exception.”

Fifty-four trucks loaded with foodstuffs entered Gaza through the Sufa Crossing point early this week.