The United Nations has issued a dire alert regarding the fuel crisis in Gaza, describing it as critically severe.

Fuel is essential for life in Gaza. It powers critical infrastructure including hospitals, water distribution, sanitation systems, and emergency services. It is also vital for humanitarian aid efforts, transportation of essential items, and the operation of bakeries that provide bread to the local population. Without fuel, essential services supporting some 2.1 million residents are at risk of shutting down entirely.

Nearly two years into ongoing conflict, Gaza's residents are enduring extreme conditions, including a growing hunger crisis. As fuel supplies dwindle, the strain on the already suffering population intensifies, pushing many to the brink of famine.

If fuel is not supplied in adequate amounts, UN agencies and humanitarian groups operating in the area may have to halt their missions. This would lead to a total breakdown in services—hospitals would cease functioning, clean water would become unavailable, and aid delivery would stop entirely.

The lack of fuel threatens to bring Gaza’s humanitarian infrastructure to a halt. Many healthcare facilities are already losing power, while critical care units and ambulances are rendered inoperative. With roadways blocked and transport limited, aid cannot reach those in desperate need. Telecommunications are also at risk, hindering emergency response efforts and isolating families from one another.

Fuel shortages mean bakeries and communal kitchens cannot function, and water purification and sewage systems may come to a stop. This leaves residents without safe water and creates unsanitary conditions, significantly increasing the risk of disease outbreaks, especially for the most vulnerable.

Earlier this week, a small fuel delivery was allowed into Gaza for the first time in over four months. Although this is a positive step, it covers only a fraction of Gaza’s daily fuel requirements and is insufficient to support critical operations or the daily survival of its people.

UN agencies and humanitarian organizations are stressing the absolute urgency of the situation. Continuous and sufficient fuel supply must be ensured to keep essential services functioning and protect lives in Gaza.