By Nour Abu Aisha

GAZA CITY, Palestine

A fuel crisis is threatening to bring medical services in the Gaza Strip to a halt, the Palestinian Health Ministry warned Wednesday.

“Medical services are about to stop within days due to the fuel crisis despite austerity measures taken by hospitals and health centers,” ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qidra said in a statement.

Home to more than two million people, the Gaza Strip, which continues to groan under Israeli siege, has struggled with severe electricity shortages since 2006.

Gaza’s electricity company said Tuesday the strip’s sole power plant generates only 85 MW, while 120 MW are purchased from Israel.

According to the company, the seaside enclave needs about 560 MW of electricity to meet the needs of the Palestinian population there.