On Saturday,18 November 2023 the Commissioner-General of UNRWA Phillippe Lazzarini has confirmed receiving a drop of fuel which was authorised by Israeli authorities after long weeks of delay.

Philippe Lazzarini said:"Following long weeks of delay,the Israeli Authorities approved only half of the daily minimum requirements of fuel for humanitarian operations in Gaza.

"This is far from enough to cover the needs for desalination plants,sewage pumps,hospitals,water pumps in shelters,aid trucks,ambulances,bakeries and communications networks to work without interruption."

He openly criticised the restriction of fuel usage to only UNRWA because fuel is needed in many areas of Gaza Strip community.

"Fuel should not be restricted for these activities.

"Without the full amount of fuel:

  • People will have only two thirds of their daily needs of clean drinking water;
  • Large parts of Gaza will continue to be flooded with sewage further increasing risks of diseases;
  • 70 per cent of solid waste will not be removed,a major health hazard;
  • We are forced to handle a reduced number of aid trucks crossing daily into Rafah.

"Humanitarian organisations should not be forced to make tough decisions between competing lifesaving activities.Community tensions in a once close-knitted society are likely to increase,making it even more difficult for UNRWA and other organisations to operate in environment of unprecedented humanitarian crisis.

"We call for adequate,regular,and unconditional delivery of fuel to maintain all our critical lifesaving activities in the Gaza Strip.

"The last few days have seen a drastic reduction in these services including water availability and sewage clearance with serious consequences on people in need.

"Humanitarian aid cannot be conditional and must not be used for political or military agendas and gains,"Lazzarrini added.

Since 7 October,the people of Gaza Strip only relied reserves for fuel to run generators that powered hospitals,humanitarian aid organisations,water pumps,telecommunication networks,bakeries and many more.

According to UNRWA,on Wednesday,15 November,the Israeli authorities allowed the entry of just less than 23,000 litres(half a truck) of fuel for UNRWA to transport trucks of aid arriving via Rafah.This fuel could not to be used for any humanitarian purposes.

UNRWA said the amount authorised today=120,000 litres will be used over two days and will only cover half of the daily critical needs.We have been informed that 120,000 litres of fuel will be delivered every two days.

The shortage of fuel in the Gaza Strip has affected even the operations of UN,hospitals and telecommunication sector.

UNRWA maintained that fuel is also critical for the telecommunications networks.Gaza went through a fourth blackout in communications yesterday.As a result,UNRWA was not able to transport trucks of humanitarian assistance arriving via Egypt.

The shelling and killing of Palestinian civilians continues across all regions of Gaza and West Bank,and occupation forces bombarded schools,mosques and destroy people's houses.

More than 810,000 people are taking shelter in at least 154 UNRWA schools and other buildings which were turned into shelters.

More than 11,000 people have been killed and in that number is over 4,000 children.