Fear of epidemic forces Israel to take a step back

It was stated that the fuel will be used to meet the needs of the United Nations (UN) in supporting water and sanitation infrastructure in the region.

ON THE CONDITION THAT IT DOES NOT REACH HAMAS...

The statement, which expressed that this step provides Israel with the “international room for maneuver necessary to eliminate Hamas,” said, “The tankers will be delivered to the civilian population in the southern Gaza Strip via the UN through the Rafah Border Crossing, on the condition that they do not reach Hamas.”

PERMISSION GRANTED TO PREVENT THE EPIDEMIC FROM SPREADING INTO ISRAEL

The statement further noted that this step aims to “prevent harm to Israeli soldiers” occupying the region and “prevent the spread into Israel” of epidemic diseases likely to be caused by water problems resulting from the fuel shortage in the Gaza Strip.

The statement included the following remarks:

“This step aims to support water and sanitation systems at a minimum level, among other things, to prevent disease outbreaks that could spread across the region, harm the residents of the Gaza Strip and our (Israeli army) forces, and even spread within Israel.”

EPIDEMIC DISEASES HAVE INCREASED

Israel had blocked the entry of fuel into the Gaza Strip since October 7, when it began its intense attacks on the region.

The UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) reported yesterday that the water crisis caused by the lack of fuel in the southern Gaza Strip has led to fatal cases of diarrhea.

In a statement made by UNRWA, it was pointed out that in 3 cities in the southern Gaza Strip, 76 water wells, 2 main drinking water facilities, and 15 sewage pumping stations have ceased operations, and this situation, caused by the lack of fuel, has affected hundreds of thousands of people.

The statement reported that because all sewage pumps had run out of fuel, sewage water was flowing into the streets of the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip.

1.7 MILLION PEOPLE FORCED TO MIGRATE

International humanitarian aid organizations state that fuel is vital for millions of displaced people to have access to clean water, healthcare, the collection of waste that could lead to diseases, and the disposal of wastewater.

According to UN data, approximately 1.7 million people have been forced to migrate in the Gaza Strip, which has a population of 2.3 million and where Israel has tightened its blockade and maintained intense bombardment.