GENEVA/JERUSALEM (ICRC) – The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Friday supplied the Ministry of Health in Gaza with 150,000 liters of diesel. The fuel will help 13 public hospitals maintain essential health services for the next 10 days. 

 

"The lack of fuel restricts the functioning of vital public services, especially hospitals," said Irfan Sulejmani, the head of the ICRC sub-delegation in Gaza. "Without these emergency supplies, the treatment of thousands of patients could be interrupted and lives endangered." 

 

In the past few years, Gaza has faced continuous shortages of electricity. The situation worsened when the only power station in the Strip was shut down last week. This additional pressure on the power system, over and above the chronic shortages, is forcing hospitals to rely on generators for up to 18 hours a day. 

 

The ICRC is calling on the authorities to take the necessary steps to resolve the shortage before it leads to even more serious consequences.