UN agency's humanitarian activities in Gaza will stop in 48 hours as no fuel allowed

By Ahmed Asmar

ANKARA (AA) — The UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) on Monday warned that it would have to suspend operations in Gaza within 48 hours due to the lack of fuel in the enclave blockaded by Israel.

The statement was made by UNRWA's director in Gaza, Thomas White, who confirmed that "no fuel has entered Gaza" since Oct. 7.

"The humanitarian operation in Gaza will grind to a halt in the next 48 hours as no fuel is allowed to enter Gaza," the UNRWA senior official said.

Stressing that UNRWA trucks were running out of fuel, he said that as a result, the agency would not be able to "receive aid coming through the Rafah crossing tomorrow."

UNRWA is the main UN agency operating in the Gaza Strip, where its schools currently host some 700,000 displaced Palestinians seeking refuge from Israeli attacks.

As the Israeli assault on the Gaza Strip entered its 38th day, at least 11,180 Palestinians have been killed, including over 7,700 children and women, and more than 28,200 others have been injured, according to the latest figures by Palestinian authorities.

Thousands of buildings, including hospitals, mosques and churches, have also been damaged or destroyed in Israel's relentless air and ground attacks on the besieged enclave since last month.

The Israeli death toll, meanwhile, is nearly 1,200, according to official figures.