UN warns Gaza aid at risk as fuel shortages worsen

The United Nations issued an urgent warning Tuesday that Israeli restrictions on border crossings into the Gaza Strip are crippling humanitarian efforts, with fuel shortages threatening to bring essential services to a standstill across the embattled enclave. UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric told reporters that all crossing points except Kerem Shalom remain closed, creating what he described as "persistent challenges" for aid organizations attempting to deliver relief to Gaza's besieged population.

"All crossings except Kareem Shalom Abu Salam are still closed," Dujarric stated, citing the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). He revealed that only 1.4 million liters of fuel have entered Gaza since last Tuesday, falling far short of operational requirements. "We need more than 2 million liters of fuel every week to avoid interruption or reduction in our services," he emphasized, painting a grim picture of an impending humanitarian catastrophe.

Fuel deficit hampers sanitation

The fuel shortage has particularly severe implications for sanitation efforts in the territory, where waste has accumulated to dangerous levels. Since Feb. 10, aid teams have managed to clear approximately 3,000 cubic meters of solid waste from a staggering total of over 350,000 cubic meters of accumulated refuse. Dujarric noted that this clearance rate "is significantly below the anticipated schedule due to challenges with fuel availability and insecurity," warning that the resulting sanitation crisis poses serious health risks to Gaza's civilian population already enduring immense hardship.

Shelter crisis and international calls for action

Shelter operations are also suffering critical setbacks, with Israeli restrictions on materials classified as "dual use" severely limiting reconstruction and protection efforts. Items including toolkits, heavy equipment, timber, and cement remain barred from entry, preventing displaced families from securing adequate housing amid winter conditions. Dujarric called for the immediate reopening of additional crossings and demanded a "sustained and predictable flow of diverse critical supplies" into Gaza. The warnings come as Türkiye continues its humanitarian engagement in the region, with Ankara consistently advocating for unhindered aid access to Palestinian civilians and condemning collective punishment measures that exacerbate civilian suffering.