Gaza death toll rises as fuel and equipment shortages hamper rescue efforts

Civil defence agency says it is operating at just 30 per cent capacity

Gaza's civil defence agency says more people are dying because it can no longer reach all areas of Israeli bombardment. AFP

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Fuel and equipment shortages have reduced the capacity of Gaza's civil defence team to just 30 per cent of its prewar strength, causing an increased death toll, officials told The National on Friday.

The agency provides vital services to the residents of Gaza, including operating ambulances, firefighting, and search and rescue, but a choking of checkpoints by Israeli authorities is slowing the group's effectiveness.

“Our limited capacity has led to an increase in the number of deaths because we can't reach people in time to rescue them,” said Mohammed Al Mogheer, the agency's director of supplies.

“The lack of essential tools also forces us to work manually, which sometimes prevents us from reaching victims and results in their deaths.”

About 39,700 Palestinians have been killed in the enclave since the Israel-Gaza war started on October 7.

Mr Mogheer said the group not only faces financial and logistical challenges, but also lacks enough staff and adequate equipment to assist Gaza's population of two million.

From the start of the war, Israel limited aid entering the Gaza Strip to the two tightly controlled border crossings, Kerem Shalom and Rafah, in the enclave’s south. But in May, it stopped aid entering through these crossings almost entirely.

“Since the borders have closed, we haven't received any fuel from international groups. We've had to purchase fuel from black markets in collaboration with local organisations, or we've resorted to using cooking oil, which damages the motors of our vehicles,” Mr Mogheer said.

The official explained that sometimes the agency cannot respond to people's calls for help because they cannot reach them, or staff are forced to travel on foot or on donkey carts, taking up crucial time needed for rescue work.

Before the war began, fuel supplies were handed out through Gazan authorities. Even after the conflict broke out the government supplied the agency with stockpiled supplies, but those have since run out.

“Various entities have stepped up to support us but now we've been informed that Israel has refused to allow international aid groups from assisting us with fuel,” Mr Mogheer said.

He said the UN should base its actions on the United Nations Charter, not follow the directions of Israeli army.