UN agencies warn: Fuel shortages in Gaza have reached critical levels.

The United Nations has warned that fuel shortages in the Gaza Strip have reached "critical levels," threatening to exacerbate the suffering of the war-ravaged enclave's residents.

Seven UN agencies affirmed in a joint statement last night that "fuel is the backbone of survival in Gaza."

The agencies spoke of the need for "fuel to operate hospitals, water and sewage systems, ambulances, and all aspects of humanitarian operations," also noting the need for fuel for bakeries.

The besieged Gaza Strip has been facing a severe fuel shortage since the start of the devastating war on October 7, 2023.

Agencies, including the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the World Health Organization, and the World Food Programme, warned that "fuel shortages in Gaza have reached critical levels."

She noted that "the people of Gaza, after nearly two years of war, are facing extreme hardship, particularly widespread food insecurity. When fuel runs out, this places a new and unbearable burden on a population already on the brink of starvation."

The United Nations said that agencies responding to the massive humanitarian crisis in parts of the Gaza Strip devastated by Israeli bombing and threatened by famine "may be forced to completely halt operations" if sufficient fuel is not available.

"This means there is no health services, no clean water, and no ability to provide aid," she continued.

"Without sufficient fuel, Gaza faces a collapse of humanitarian relief efforts," she added, warning that "without fuel, bakeries and community kitchens cannot operate. Water and sanitation systems will shut down, depriving families of safe drinking water as solid waste and sewage accumulate in the streets."

"These conditions expose families to the spread of deadly diseases and bring Gaza's most vulnerable groups closer to death," the agencies said in their statement.

The warning comes days after the United Nations was able to bring fuel into Gaza for the first time in 130 days.

While UN agencies described this as a "welcome development," they said the 75,000 liters of fuel they were able to bring in was only "a small fraction of what is needed daily to maintain daily life and continue providing vital aid."

"Fuel must be allowed into Gaza in sufficient quantities and on a regular basis to support life-saving operations," she added.