The blockade has led to a sharp decline in local humanitarian services and the disappearance of essential goods from markets during the holy month of Ramadan.
With the Kerem Shalom border crossing closed for 14 consecutive days, municipalities, local authorities, and service institutions have reported the suspension or collapse of their operations. They have issued warnings of an imminent halt to their activities due to fuel shortages, as well as lack of aid and operational supplies, leaving them unable to provide services to Palestinian residents.
Speaking to Qatar News Agency (QNA), Mayor of Beit Lahia in northern Gaza, Eng Alaa Attar, stated that the ongoing blockade has severely impacted the municipality’s ability to deliver basic services, which were already minimal due to the destruction caused by Israeli aggression. He warned of a looming disaster as sewage pumping operations have ceased due to fuel shortages, leading to overflowing sewage pits and the contamination of streets, markets, homes, and shelters, forcing residents to flee.
Attar emphasised that the lack of fuel supply has hindered waste collection, rubble removal, and road clearing, further worsening living conditions for residents.
He cautioned that the continued closure of crossings threatens a comprehensive collapse of life and services provided by municipalities.
Similarly, Rafah Municipality in southern Gaza announced a complete halt to its street-clearing and rubble-removal services. It also warned that water well generators might stop functioning due to fuel depletion, as the Israeli blockade persists.
In his statements to QNA, Mayor of Rafah Dr Ahmed al-Sufi has warned of an impending humanitarian disaster threatening the lives of residents, as the Israeli closure of the Karem Abu Salem crossing exacerbates a water crisis and heightens risks of disease outbreaks. Essential municipal services are paralysed, and the city’s infrastructure remains devastated despite the ceasefire.
The mayor declared that Rafah Municipality has been forcibly halting fuel allocations needed for operating private and agricultural wells due to the tightened Israeli blockade and crossing closures, warning of dire consequences from this suspension. Previously, the municipality had fuelled 80 wells, ensuring water access for returnees to their neighbourhoods amid deteriorating humanitarian conditions. Fuel shortages have now compelled the municipality to scale back services, freezing vital operations and threatening thousands of lives, while worsening health and environmental crises.
The blockade’s impact extends to Gaza’s bakeries, with the President of the Bakery Owners Association in Gaza, Abdul Nasser al-Ajrami, reporting the shutdown of five major bakeries after exhausting fuel stocks.
He told QNA that all operating bakeries in Gaza could halt operations within ten days if conditions persist. On the healthcare sector, Assistant Undersecretary at the Ministry of Health Dr Maher Shamiya informed QNA that fuel shortages and electricity outages are severely impeding the operation of hospitals and primary healthcare centres. Gaza’s medical facilities urgently require 30 generators and 10 oxygen plants to maintain operations and provide services.
Existing generators face continuous use and damage from the Israeli aggression, while destroyed oxygen plants have left critical care units in severe jeopardy.
The World Food Programme reported no food supplies delivered to Gaza since March 2 due to the blockade. Rising food prices and a shortage of cooking gas have already forced six supported bakeries to cease operations.
Israel’s military assault on Gaza since October 2023, has resulted in the destruction of infrastructure, economic facilities, and public institutions, leaving around 160,000 people dead or injured. While a ceasefire agreement mediated by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States began on January 19, the occupation continues violations, delaying further phases of negotiation.
Related Story
