The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) suggested on Tuesday that the United Nations request fuel supplies from Hamas, after the UN agency that provides humanitarian aid to Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip warned that it would have to stop operations on Wednesday night (25) if there was no fuel delivery.
The agency, known as UNRWA, published its alert on social media this Tuesday (24). The Israel Defense Forces republished the post and said that Hamas members have more than 500,000 liters of fuel in tanks inside the besieged Gaza Strip.
“Ask Hamas if you can use some,” the IDF wrote.
Rafah is the main crossing into and out of Gaza that does not border Israel. The point has become the focus of efforts to deliver humanitarian aid since Israel imposed a “total siege” on the enclave in retaliation for an attack by Hamas militants on October 7.
The United States is leading negotiations with Israel, Egypt and the UN to try to create a sustained delivery mechanism for humanitarian aid to Gaza. The parties are in dispute over aid inspection procedures and bombings on the Gaza side of the border.
While there have been some limited deliveries of food, water and medicine since Saturday, no fuel has been permitted.
Israel is concerned about the possible diversion of fuel deliveries by Hamas and White House national security spokesman John Kirby on Tuesday described Israel’s concerns as legitimate.
“We still believe, in general, that fuel needs to be able to reach the people of Gaza,” he told reporters.
Source: CNN Brasil
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