The United Nations relief operation in Gaza on Monday said it had received enough fuel from Israel to continue working for the next 20 days. UN spokesman Chris Gunness stated it was a disgrace that his organization would be deprived of fuel. On Sunday he said tanks were empty.
| Maybe the French could sell you some. Or the Russians. How 'bout the Chinese? |
| Chris didn't have anything to say about that, did he ... |
The Gaza fuel association said it went on strike to protest over Israel's supply limits which were cut back sharply after Palestinian militants attacked the Nahal Oz depot last month killing two Israeli civilians.
The economic situation has worsened since Hamas overran Gaza in June. In response to rocket attacks on Israeli border communities, Israel closed crossings, cutting off most supplies except for humanitarian necessities. Israel stopped all supplies briefly last month after militants attacked the only fuel depot that supplies Gaza.
Meanwhile, Israel closed the Karni Gaza-Israel border crossing on Monday evening, after Gaza militants fired mortar shells on trucks bringing supplies into the coastal strip, according to Israel Radio. The Israel Defense Forces will impose a full closure on the West Bank and Gaza beginning at midnight on Monday, scheduled to last through Memorial Day and Independence Day.