UN suspends Gaza food aid again

The UN relief agency for Palestinian refugees is to suspend its food aid distribution in Gaza on Monday because of a lack of fuel caused by the Israeli blockade, a spokesman said on Sunday.

"We have exhausted our stocks of fuel, and are therefore forced to stop our food distributions to 1.5 million inhabitants in the Gaza Strip from Monday morning," UNWRA spokesman Chris Gunness said.

But Israel has said Gaza's fuel tanks are full and attributed to alleged shortage to the striking Palestinian fuel distributors, who refuse to empty the tanks. The Gaza fuel association said it went on strike to protest over Israel's supply limits.

"It's the second time in a week," he added. "In the long term, the humanitarian situation is terrible."

The agency only resumed distributing aid last Tuesday after a previous four-day interruption caused by fuel shortages.

UNRWA's decision came hours after the IDF said it shut two key crossings with Gaza after they came under mortar fire from Palestinians.

The Karni and Nahal Oz crossings - through which most of the impoverished territory receives its food, medical supplies, humanitarian aid and fuel - would remain closed "until further notice," an army spokeswoman said.

Israel previously closed down the Nahal Oz crossing and fuel terminal after Palestinian gunmen infiltrated the terminal and killed two Israeli civilians.