Essential services on verge of shutting down in Gaza due to lack of emergency fuel by United Nations office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

“Since 16 July, the Israeli authorities have prohibited the entry of fuel into the Gaza Strip, in the context of tightened import and export restrictions… The recent developments have exacerbated the existing humanitarian crisis driven by 11 years of Israeli blockade that has raised concerns over collective punishment and human rights violations, alongside an unresolved internal Palestinian political divide…

“At least one hospital has been forced to shut down for a few hours, and services are being dramatically reduced at others. Given ongoing blackouts of about 20 hours a day, if fuel does not come in immediately, people’s lives will be at stake, with the most vulnerable patients, like cardiac patients, those on dialysis, and newborns in intensive care, at highest risk.”

… hospitals have reduced diagnostic, sterilization and cleaning services, increasing the risk of infections amongst patients. Elective surgeries are being further reduced… Additionally, the reduced functioning of water and sanitation facilities risks an increase of waterborne disease and outbreaks… In addition to further reductions in water supplies, this would also potentially lead to sewerage overflowing into inhabited areas.”