Union of fuel companies warns of humanitarian crisis due to gas depletion

GAZA, (PIC)– The union of fuel companies in the Gaza Strip warned Saturday of an imminent humanitarian crisis after the depletion of cooking gas from fuel stations for the 25th consecutive day.

Mahmoud Al-Shawwa, the head of the union, said that the gas stations in Gaza shut down after they sold out their stocks.

Shawwa explained that the Israeli occupation authority (IOA) stopped using recently Al-Shujaiya crossing to enter cooking gas and industrial diesel into Gaza and instead it allows in small quantities through Karam Abu Salem crossing which lacks infrastructure needed to supply Gaza with sufficient fuel shipments.

He pointed out that the IOA allowed into Gaza during last September 2,500 tons of gas and in October 1,500 tons, but in the current month it only allowed in 400 tons while the Strip needs 5,000 tons of gas per month.

The company head appealed to the international community to pressure Israel to increase fuel shipments in order to end the crisis.