Israel Allows Trucks Carrying Additional Fuel to Enter Gaza Strip, But Number is Limited

JAKARTA - Israel's Security Cabinet has approved recommendations made by the War Cabinet to allow a "minimal" increase in the amount of fuel coming in daily, to prevent a "humanitarian tragedy and the outbreak of an epidemic" in the southern Gaza Strip, the prime minister's office said in a statement on Hari Wednesday.

The decision came after pressure from the United States to allow more fuel into Gaza, which led to a cabinet meeting on Wednesday evening.

"The minimum number will be determined from time to time by the War Cabinet," said the statement, reported by CNN, December 7.

Quoting The Times of Israel, Washington is demanding that fuel deliveries, which are currently around 60,000 liters per day, be doubled or even tripled.

Meanwhile, news site Ynet said right-wing ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben Gvir voted against the addition at the meeting.

Previously, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed on Tuesday that the current limit is two fuel tankers or around 60,000 liters per day.

PM Netanyahu claims that Israel's war in Gaza is supported by humanitarian efforts, stressing that it allows a minimum number of fuel trucks, and also aims to prevent disease outbreaks in Gaza that could halt ground operations.

"The war effort is supported by humanitarian efforts. This is because we follow the laws of war, because we know that if destruction occurs – disease, pandemics and groundwater infections – then the fighting will stop," explained PM Netanyahu.