GAZA, Palestine 

The Gaza Interior Ministry stated on Sunday that Israel continues to cut off electricity, potable water, fuel, and food supplies to the region, resulting in a catastrophic situation in the bombarded Gaza.

Iyad al-Buzm, Interior Ministry spokesperson, stated in a press conference: "The occupier continues to cut off electricity, potable water, fuel, medicine, and food supplies to the strip in a fierce war that exceeds the Holocaust.”

He added: "Gaza Strip is in dire need of fuel to operate hospital generators, potable water filtration stations, bakeries, ambulances, and civil defense vehicles."

Al-Buzm also refuted Israel's accusations that aid is going to the factions, saying: “The baseless and absurd claims do not fool anyone. International organizations operating in Gaza are the ones assessing the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, and there is a consensus on the catastrophic conditions due to the blockade.”

He accused Israel of fabricating "lies in a desperate attempt to justify its crimes against our people. At times, it claims that fuel and aid go to Hamas, and at other times, it alleges that resistance fighters use healthcare institutions and hospitals.

He added: “The occupation army excels only in targeting innocent civilians and is devoid of all human values and ethics.”

Al-Buzm urged Egypt to “make a historic decision and stand by the Arab and humanitarian causes, to open the Rafah Crossing for the entry of humanitarian aid and to halt the escalating disaster in Gaza.”

The number of Palestinians killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza since Oct. 7 has risen to 8,005, the Health Ministry in the besieged Palestinian enclave said on Sunday. The figure includes 3,342 children, 2,062 women, and 460 elderly.

Israel has heavily bombarded Gaza since Oct. 7 when Hamas carried out a surprise cross-border attack. The army's spokesperson, Daniel Hagari, on Saturday announced "expanding its operations," moving to the "next phase of our war against Hamas."

Gaza's 2.3 million residents are also grappling with shortages of food, water, fuel, and medicine due to Israel’s blockade of the enclave. Only a few aid trucks have crossed into Gaza since the opening of the Rafah crossing point last weekend.

*Writing by Rania Abu Shamala​​​​​​​