Fuel 'most vital commodity' in Gaza, WHO says
Fuel is now the "most vital commodity" in Gaza, according to the World Health Organization.
The limited aid trucks trickling into Gaza have not included any fuel, the organization said. Before Oct. 7, hundreds of trucks entered Gaza every day, including about 45 trucks bringing fuel, said Tamara Alrifai, spokesperson for the U.N. agency for Palestine refugees.
Without fuel, "trucks can’t move and generators can’t produce electricity for hospitals, bakeries and water desalination plants,” said Alrifai.
Alrifai said the United Nations Relief and Works Agency would be responsible for delivering the fuel to hospitals and water desalination plants and keeping it out of Hamas' hands.
The WHO said one in three hospitals in Gaza and two in three clinics are not functioning, with the health system overwhelmed by more than 16,000 injured people.
Dr. Rick Brennan, WHO emergencies director for the Eastern Mediterranean Region, said he's begging "all those in a situation to make a decision or influence decision makers, to give us the humanitarian space to address this human catastrophe."
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