Israel will allow two fuel trucks a day into the Gaza Strip, following pressure from the US. A US State Department official said Washington exerted considerable pressure on Israel over the fuel deal.
The deal was agreed in principle weeks ago, but was delayed by Israel for two reasons. Israeli officials told the US that fuel had not actually run out in southern Gaza, and they also wanted to wait and see if they could negotiate a hostage deal first.
The US official said about 140,000 liters of fuel would be allowed every two days. Most of it is intended for trucks delivering aid, as well as UN support in providing water and sanitation, the official said.
The rest is for mobile phone and internet services, which were disrupted due to fuel shortages.
On Friday, the company that provides Gaza's communications said its services were returning after receiving some fuel through UNRA, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees.
The head of Unrwa warned on Thursday that the agency may have to suspend all its activities due to fuel shortages.
Earlier, an Israeli official said that the new amount of fuel will be brought to the civilian population in the southern Gaza Strip through the UN through the Rafah crossing, provided it does not reach Hamas.
The Israeli official said the fuel would provide "minimal" support to water, sewage and sanitation systems in order to prevent outbreaks of epidemics that could spread in the area.
International organizations have repeatedly expressed great concern about the humanitarian situation that is unfolding in the Gaza Strip. (A2 Televizion)
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