Lack of fuel would be 'main reason' for deaths in Gaza if not supplied, warns UN

By Beyza Binnur Donmez

GENEVA (AA) – The UN relief agency for Palestinian refugees warned on Thursday that a lack of fuel would be the "main reason" for deaths in the Gaza Strip if fuel is not supplied to the besieged region.

"We need a cease-fire now, and fuel," Philippe Lazzarini, commissioner-general for the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) said at a press conference in Geneva.

Lazzarini underlined that the fuel situation could have been resolved long ago and added that "the more we wait, we will see fuel being the main reason" for deaths of Palestinians in Gaza.

He said they received a "tiny" amount of fuel, "half of a truck," on Wednesday, but that Israel has restricted the use of that fuel to aid trucks arriving at the Rafah crossing.