Gaza’s Civil Defense has issued an urgent appeal to the World Health Organization, warning that the enclave’s last functioning ambulances and rescue vehicles could soon be forced off the roads for lack of fuel. With Israel’s assault continuing, officials say every minute without these vehicles costs lives, leaving the wounded and trapped without hope of timely rescue.

The shortage is crippling emergency operations, preventing crews from reaching bombed neighbourhoods or pulling survivors from beneath rubble. Some teams have already been forced to halt missions, as fuel reserves run dry.

Civil Defense is urging the international community and UN agencies to act immediately, warning that without a rapid fuel delivery, Gaza’s already overwhelmed emergency network could collapse entirely, with deadly consequences.