Gaza still has fuel but it could run out in hours: ICRC

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said on Thursday that the blockaded Gaza Strip still had some fuel to operate generators, including in hospitals, but that it could run out in hours.

"Our understanding is that there is still fuel - but probably only for a few hours - to allow generators to work, including in hospitals," Fabrizio Carboni, ICRC's regional director for the Near and Middle East, told reporters.

Israel has responded to Saturday's surprise attack by Hamas militants by putting Gaza, home to 2.3 million people, under total siege and launching by far the most powerful bombing campaign in the 75-year history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.


Carboni said it was crucial to allow humanitarian aid already inside Gaza to be safely distributed. He said the enclave's dwindling supplies could not maintain the civilian population for very long.

"There are supplies in Gaza, fuel, chlorine, medical assistance. We have some supplies in stock that we would like to distribute," he said.

"With the supplies we have inside Gaza, we will not be able to support the civilian population for very long. This is why we need to be able to get the supplies we need to Gaza."