Fuel delivery to Gaza thwarted by protests
The UN humanitarian agency serving Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, says it was unable to receive 100,000 litres of diesel fuel that Israel was ready to deliver to Gaza last night.
UNRWA had to suspend its food aid delivery to more than 650,000 Palestinians because of the lack of fuel for its trucks. UNRWA's Director of Operations in Gaza, John Ging, told UN Radio today that yesterday's delivery was thwarted by protests on the Palestinian side of the Nahal Oz crossing.
"Desperate people protesting at the fuel terminal prevented the importation of fuel for our operations. They were farmers and fishermen, who themselves, are in desperate need for fuel and they felt that they should get it as a first priority, not the UN, but this is perfectly understandable."
Mr. Ging said no shipment is expected today because Friday is a holiday and the crossing is closed. UNRWA says it is heavily engaged with all parties to try to bring about a resolution of this crisis and see adequate supplies of fuel restored and distributed throughout Gaza.
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