Khaberni - The Union of Gaza Municipalities warns of severe consequences of the acute fuel crisis that the sector's municipalities are suffering from, amidst the continued prevention of the entry of sufficient amounts of fuel necessary for operating vital facilities, confirming that this crisis threatens to stop basic municipal services, especially with the onset of winter season and accompanying low pressures and heavy rains.
The Union explained that the fuel shortage has directly impacted water and sewage services due to the inability of pumps to function regularly, which increases the risks of water contamination, the spread of epidemics, and the general health situation deterioration, especially during the winter season when these vital services are most needed.
The fuel shortage has also led to the ongoing accumulation of solid waste in streets and residential areas, exacerbating environmental and health threats in affected areas.
It mentioned that the crisis has hindered the municipalities' ability to remove debris and open roads due to the stoppage of most machinery and equipment, which obstructs the movement of municipal vehicles, civil defense, ambulance, and emergency services, and weakens the quick response to emergency situations, especially during harsh weather conditions.
It added that handling water accumulation and operating pumps and equipment during winter lows requires large amounts of fuel that are currently unavailable.
The Union of Gaza Municipalities confirmed that the continued fuel crisis forewarns of an almost complete halt of municipal services across various provinces of the sector, posing a direct danger to the humanitarian, health, and environmental situations, demanding an immediate and urgent opening of crossings and providing the necessary supplies and sufficient quantities of fuel to ensure the continuity of the minimum municipal services amid emergency conditions and the winter season.
