DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip. The United Nations (UN) has been compelled to suspend the distribution of vital supplies, including food, to Gaza due to a communication blackout resulting from a severe lack of fuel. The collapse of internet and telephone services has left Gaza’s 2.3 million residents in isolation, hindering coordination for essential aid. In response, Israel has agreed to permit a limited daily supply of fuel for the UN and communication systems. However, this falls significantly short of the amount required for critical functions, such as fueling water systems, hospitals, bakeries, and aid delivery trucks.
Israel assured on Friday that there would be “no limitation” on the humanitarian aid requested for Gaza by the United Nations, seemingly responding to international pressure and concerns that its strict control over the war-torn Palestinian territory could lead to starvation and disease.
Earlier in the day, Israel’s national security adviser, Tzachi Hanegbi, announced that the country’s war cabinet had agreed to permit two tanker trucks of fuel to enter the Gaza Strip daily. He described this quantity as “very minimal,” designated for essential services like communications, water, and sewage.
However, in a later media briefing, Israel appeared to adjust its stance, with a defense ministry official, Col Elad Goren of the Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (Cogat) department, pledging, “Every list we get from the UN will be delivered.”
While not explicitly mentioning fuel or a specific number of tankers, Goren discussed plans to broaden aid, including the establishment of field hospitals to treat wounded Gazans:
“We will increase the capacity of the humanitarian convoys and trucks as long as there is a need. Every list that we get from the UN will be delivered. We will check it and it will enter Gaza, so it’s up to the UN to give us those lists. And if there is a need for 400 trucks, tomorrow there will be 400 trucks. We are not limiting this issue. There is no limitation.”
Reuters notes that while Israel has made promises regarding aid in the past, Goren’s remarks suggest a shift in tone following warnings from UN agencies about rapidly deteriorating humanitarian conditions for the 2.3 million residents of Gaza.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
