Following significant international pressure on Israel to permit the entry of aid and fuel into the besieged Gaza Strip, Israel informed the United States of a plan to deliver fuel to southern Gaza under international supervision, should more hospitals cease operations, according to two Israeli officials speaking to Axios. Humanitarian organizations have been requesting for weeks to allow fuel into the region, highlighting hospitals that have shut down or are at risk due to acute fuel shortages.
In recent weeks, Israel allowed a limited number of trucks carrying supplies into Gaza from Egypt but has so far refused to allow fuel into the area, due to concerns that Hamas might seize the fuel. Israeli Defense Forces Chief of Staff General Herzi Halevi stated on Thursday that Israel would transport fuel to hospitals with supervision when necessary. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu indicated on Friday after meeting with Secretary of State Antony Blinken that Israel would not allow any fuel into Gaza.
Despite this, sources indicated that discussions are ongoing to find a way to provide fuel to Gaza if Israel determines that there is a need. Israeli officials, in collaboration with experts from international relief organizations, have calculated the amount of fuel required to operate hospitals and other vital facilities for a short, limited period of time.
According to the plan submitted to the U.S., which requires approval from the Israeli war cabinet, fuel tankers from Egypt would enter the Gaza Strip with a specified amount of fuel sufficient to operate hospitals and other humanitarian facilities for a designated time. Each fuel tanker would be accompanied by a team from the United Nations monitoring it closely to ensure the fuel is delivered to hospitals for its intended purpose.
Israeli officials stated that when the fuel runs low again, the operation would be repeated for another short, limited timeframe. They claim that there is currently enough fuel in Gaza to operate generators in hospitals and other humanitarian facilities. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) reported on Friday, citing the health ministry in Gaza run by Hamas, that 16 hospitals and 51 primary health care centers "have gone out of service due to the conflict or lack of fuel."
