Gaza Civil Defence blames United Nations agency for obstructing urgently-needed fuel deliveries

Gaza's Civil Defence said its had to scale back services by 50 percent this week because of the lack of fuel in the enclave, which it blames on the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS).

The agency "continues to implement arbitrary and obstructive procedures that prevent us from accessing the required quantities of fuel," the Civil Defence, which is comprised of teams of first responders, said in a statement.

"UNOPS has adopted an inadequate distribution policy that is disproportionate to the scale of our fieldwork, severely hindering our ability to carry out our humanitarian missions." 

Civil Defence teams have faced what they describe as "severe difficulties" in securing fuel to operate fire trucks, rescue vehicles, and ambulances, as well as the gasoline generators used to extract people trapped under rubble.

"This equipment is the backbone of our rescue operations," the Civil Defence said. 

As a result of the fuel shortage, a "significant portion of the response to fires, explosions, and collapses has been disrupted, directly endangering civilian lives," the statement explained. 

"We hold UNOPS fully responsible for any delays or obstructions in rescue operations and for any loss of life resulting from the disruption of essential services that require fuel." 

The teams are now urging the adoption of "a clear and transparent mechanism to ensure the continuous flow of fuel commensurate with the scale of the emergency in the Gaza Strip".