Fuel Shortages and Destroyed Machinery Hinder Gaza Municipality’s Road-Clearing Efforts

Municipal Media Office

Gaza Municipality’s field crews are facing immense challenges in opening roads and removing rubble amid a severe fuel shortage and the destruction of nearly 85% of the municipality’s heavy and medium machinery. This situation has significantly slowed clearance operations and made it difficult for residents to reach their homes.

The municipality is currently relying on private-sector machinery to fill the gap. However, the massive quantities of debris and the presence of large concrete blocks continue to obstruct progress, requiring specialized equipment that is not sufficiently available. Additionally, complicated fuel-delivery procedures, the limited quantities allocated to municipalities, the lack of spare parts, and repeated breakdowns of the few remaining machines all contribute to delayed responses to urgent citizen requests at a time when complaints and demands for safe access routes are rapidly increasing.

Given these conditions, Gaza Municipality urgently appeals to the international community, as well as international and local institutions, to intervene and support the continuation and scaling-up of field operations. This includes ensuring a steady and adequate supply of fuel through simplified procedures, and providing the necessary machinery and equipment required for road clearance and rubble removal—critical measures to maintain mobility within the city and alleviate the suffering of residents during this critical period.

The municipality warns that without immediate intervention, the crisis will further worsen humanitarian conditions, and calls on all concerned parties to uphold their humanitarian responsibilities.