DaysofPal- The Gaza Strip is on the brink of a severe humanitarian disaster as gas and fuel shortages continue to escalate, according to Iyad Al-Shorbaji, Director General of the General Petroleum Corporation.
In an interview with the “Palestine” newspaper, Al-Shorbaji warned that the closure of crossings by Israeli occupation has halted critical supplies, exacerbating the already dire conditions faced by Gaza’s residents.
A Looming Catastrophe
“The gas and fuel outages have serious negative repercussions on the lives of citizens,” Al-Shorbaji stated, emphasizing that these shortages threaten essential services such as bakeries, hospitals, transportation, communications, water supply, and economic activity.
The lack of domestic gas has also left families unable to cook meals, further deepening their hardships.
Gaza’s energy needs are vast, requiring approximately 7,000 tons of gas per month. However, recent imports barely reached 3,500 tons, often dropping as low as 2,000 tons—a deficit rate of about 70%. With the complete cessation of supplies due to the occupation’s closure of crossings, the situation has become catastrophic.
Strained Resources
Existing fuel reserves are reserved for limited humanitarian facilities like health institutions and municipalities, which can only sustain operations for a few days before running dry.
Meanwhile, other sectors, including the private economy, face near-total paralysis. What little fuel remains is sold on the black market at inflated prices, burdening impoverished residents struggling to afford basic necessities.
Local authorities’ efforts to regulate prices and curb inflation through market monitoring and anti-monopoly measures have proven insufficient without regular inflows of aid and goods. “Unless the crossings are reopened and the siege lifted, we cannot address this crisis,” Al-Shorbaji stressed.
Calls for International Intervention
Al-Shorbaji urged countries, international organizations, and global citizens to pressure Israel into lifting the blockade and allowing humanitarian aid to flow freely into Gaza.
He described the ongoing siege as a “war of starvation” targeting innocent civilians, particularly children and women, who bear the brunt of the suffering.
Despite a ceasefire agreement signed in January to end the genocidal war on Gaza—which claimed over 160,000 lives and left thousands missing—Israel continues to violate its terms.
For nine consecutive days, it closed crossings, preventing much-needed relief from reaching the devastated population.
Global Responsibility
Al-Shorbaji appealed to “free peoples” worldwide to mobilize and advocate for justice for Palestinians in Gaza. “If the world does not act swiftly, the consequences will be devastating,” he warned. Media efforts highlighting Gaza’s plight play a crucial role in raising awareness and pushing governments to demand accountability from the Israeli occupation.
As the region grapples with one of the worst humanitarian disasters in modern history, the international community faces mounting pressure to intervene and ensure the survival and dignity of Gaza’s people. Without immediate action, the humanitarian catastrophe threatening the enclave may soon become irreversible.
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