A humanitarian crisis is deepening in Gaza as a United Nations agency providing aid in the territory is expected to run out of fuel in three to four days. Philippe Lazzarini, the commissioner-general of the U.N. Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA), confirmed this in an interview with CBS News. Without fuel, essential resources like water, bakery, and hospital services will be severely affected. It will also hamper the agency’s ability to carry out crucial humanitarian operations. Lazzarini’s statement called for immediate action from all parties to allow fuel supplies into Gaza and prevent the collapse of humanitarian operations.
The UN agency has been issuing warnings about the imminent collapse of basic resources in Gaza following Israel’s complete siege. The food, water, electricity, and medical supplies have been running scarce since the militant group Hamas carried out a surprise attack, causing significant loss of life and injury. Gaza’s sole power plant has already run out of fuel, leaving the region dependent on generators, which are already in short supply.
Last week, President Biden announced an agreement to allow humanitarian aid to flow from Egypt to Gaza and pledged $100 million in funding for assistance in Gaza and the West Bank. Aid trucks have since entered Gaza through the Rafah crossing, providing water, food, and medical equipment. However, fuel was not included in this delivery, according to Israel. Lazzarini stressed the need for a significant increase and uninterrupted supply of aid into Gaza to address the escalating crisis.
The ongoing Israeli airstrikes into Gaza have forced more than 1 million Palestinians out of their homes and into shelters, with some being operated by UNRWA. The Gaza Ministry of Health reported over 4,600 Palestinian deaths and more than 14,000 injuries due to Israel’s bombardment. Concerns have been raised over potential complications in delivering humanitarian aid due to the impending ground invasion by Israeli forces. However, Lazzarini expressed no intention to disrupt any operations and emphasized the need to continue advocating for open borders, the safe delivery of supplies, and the protection of civilians.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
