A severe shortage of fuel in Gaza has pushed municipal services to a near standstill, worsening conditions for thousands of displaced families still living in makeshift tents two years after the devastating genocidal war on the besieged territory. Without diesel, municipalities are unable to operate essential machinery, leaving shelter areas flooded with rainwater mixed with sewage, according to local accounts.

Officials in Khan Younis report that diesel is indispensable for running municipal vehicles, noting that recent heavy rain exposed the scale of the crisis. Floodwaters entered the tents of displaced families, while municipalities were unable to send equipment to assist due to the lack of fuel. One official stated that Khan Younis alone needs around 10,000 litres of diesel daily, with similar demands across dozens of municipalities, urging international bodies to take immediate action to facilitate fuel entry.

Authorities in Gaza say that fuel deliveries have been severely restricted, with only a fraction of the required amount permitted into the Strip since October. They describe the obstruction of fuel and generators as a clear violation of international law and part of a broader policy aimed at depriving civilians of basic necessities. The continued shortages, they warn, jeopardise hospitals, clinics, and essential public services, prompting renewed calls for urgent intervention to ensure the flow of vital supplies.