130 babies at mortal risk in Gaza's hospitals as Israel continues to bar entry of fuel

ISTANBUL

Israel's refusal to allow fuel to enter the Gaza Strip is threatening the lives of 130 premature babies in the besieged enclave's hospitals, local authorities said on Saturday.

In a statement, Gaza's Health Ministry said "130 premature babies in the Gaza Strip are at risk of death due to the insistence of the Israeli occupation to prevent the delivery of fuel necessary to run hospital generators."

Pointing to the lack of fuel, the ministry underlined the difficulties in running generators in the region, which has been under two weeks of intense Israeli bombardment and blockade.

Gaza has been experiencing a dire humanitarian crisis amid the current conflict with Israel, which no electricity, while water, food, fuel, and medical supplies are running out.

The lack of electricity has made it difficult for hospitals to use medical equipment and has prevented the treatment of the sick and injured.

Israeli Army Spokesperson Avichay Adraee had announced in a statement that fuel will not be allowed to enter Gaza.

"If fuel is not urgently delivered to hospitals in the Gaza Strip, it will pose a serious danger to the injured and patients," the Gazan Health Ministry had previously warned.

The conflict in Gaza, under Israeli bombardment and blockade since Oct. 7, began when Palestinian group Hamas initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, a multi-pronged surprise attack that included a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel by land, sea, and air. Hamas said the incursion was in retaliation for the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and growing violence by Israeli settlers.

The Israeli military then launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip.

At least 4,385 Palestinians, including 1,756 children, have been killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza, while the figure stands at more than 1,400 people in Israel.

Earlier on Saturday, a humanitarian convoy of 20 trucks began to enter the Gaza Strip from the Egyptian side of the Rafah border crossing, the first since the armed conflict broke out between Israel and Hamas on Oct. 7.

*Writing by Merve Berker