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 11 October 2008 21:36 BST

Israeli fuel blockade forcing UN to suspend aid to Gaza

Thursday, 24 Apr 2008 17:56
The Israeli fuel blockade in Gaza is causing aid to be suspended

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The Israeli fuel blockade in Gaza is forcing the United Nations (UN) to suspend its humanitarian work in the region.

A UN official said that food aid and the collection of sewage will have to be halted on Thursday if more vehicle fuel isn't allowed into Gaza by Israel.

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNWRA) warned that its fuel supplies are due to run out today.

"Unless petrol is allowed in, UNRWA will discontinue its food assistance to 650,000 refugees, as well as its garbage collection services, which benefit half-a-million Gazans," assistant secretary-general for political affairs Angela Kane told a meeting of the UN Security Council.

"Another 500,000 Gazans are already living in 12 municipalities without any solid waste management capacity - largely due to the lack of fuel."

Israel did allow fuel to be delivered to the Gaza Strip's main power station this week, preventing a large-scale black-out.

The UN Security Council had been meeting to discuss the crisis in Gaza when some representatives walked out due to comments made by Libya.

Libyan ambassador Giadalla Ettalhi compared the situation in Gaza to the Nazi Holocaust, causing diplomats from the US, Britain, France and Belgium to leave the meeting.

"A number of Council members were dismayed by the approach taken by Libya and do not believe that such language helps advance the peace process," British official Karen Pierce said afterwards. End of story


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