Jerusalem: Hamas is holding back the distribution of one million litres of fuel in the Gaza Strip, a United Nations official has said, joining Israeli claims that the Islamists were stage-managing a crisis.

However, the official who requested anonymity added that the current quantities of fuel and industrial gasoline stored in Gaza are sufficient for only several days.

"The general petroleum association refuses to distribute in protest of the lack of supply of fuel by Israel," he said, referring to the union of Gaza gas station owners.

Israel shut the Nahal Oz crossing and fuel terminal on April nine after a raid by Palestinian gunmen killed two Israeli employees and shattered a month-long lull in violence.

The Jewish state said yesterday that the terminal will remain closed for several days, and Palestinian officials warned that acute fuel shortages could shut down Gaza's main power plant.

Gaza's gas stations have been closed for several days in protest at the insufficient supply of fuel by Israel, which has placed Gaza under a punishing lockdown since Hamas seized control of the territory last June.

The UN official said that one million litres of fuel are being held on the Palestinian side of the terminal, enough to supply Gaza with just over two days worth of fuel for cars and electricity generators.

"Israel cannot pump more fuel because there is no place to store it, since the general petroleum association is looking for guarantees from Israel to supply more fuel. This is a logjam," the official said.
Source : PTI