The International Committee of the Red Cross said a shortage of fuel in the Gaza Strip is putting the lives of thousands of hospital patients in the Palestinian territory at risk.
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The Red Cross said Thursday it is preparing to deliver 150,000 liters of diesel to the Ministry of Health in Hamas-controlled Gaza so that hospital generators can keep running. But the aid group said the supply will only last for 10 days.
Juan-Pedro Schaerer, the head of the ICRC delegation for Israel and the territories, said, "More than a month has passed since the fuel and electricity crisis began. The current failure to ensure delivery of fuel and electricity could rapidly lead to interruptions in vital public services such as hospital care and water supply, putting the lives of thousands of patients in danger.
"We have already warned that in the event of any such disruption, hospital operating theatres and specialist units, such as those providing intensive care, neonatal care and haemodialysis, would be especially hard hit," he added.
The delegation said in a statement that immediate action must be taken by all authorities concerned to "prevent a further deterioration of the situation and find a lasting solution to the problem. The potential humanitarian consequences of a prolonged crisis should outweigh any political considerations."
The two-month-old crisis was sparked by a dispute between Hamas and neighboring Egypt over the delivery and payment for fuel.
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