Gaza petroleum authority says cooking gas supplies cover only 20% of needs

Gaza’s General Petroleum Authority said the cooking gas crisis in the Strip is continuing despite the ceasefire agreement, citing a sharp decline in gas supplies entering Gaza and ongoing restrictions imposed by the Israeli blockade.

In a press release issued on Tuesday, the authority said that from the start of the truce until 31st January, only 307 gas trucks entered the Gaza Strip, carrying a total of 6,458 tonnes. It said the amount does not exceed 20 per cent of Gaza’s actual needs, leaving the crisis unresolved and adding to residents’ hardship.

The authority accused the Israeli occupation of pursuing a policy of “drip-feeding” and delaying the entry of goods and humanitarian aid.

It said political understandings and the recent agreement had stipulated the entry of around 1,500 gas trucks over the same period, but that only 307 had arrived, which it said showed a failure to meet commitments and a continued pattern of delay.

The authority noted that 40 gas trucks entered Gaza last week — the highest weekly total since the truce began — but said the figure remains below the minimum required. It estimated that Gaza needs between 80 and 100 gas trucks per week, with daily cooking gas consumption of about 260 tonnes.

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