Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Hot on Facebook
Guy Buys $123 Safe on eBay, Finds $26,000 Inside Seller tries to get half the cash back, fails »

Israel Cuts Fuel to Gaza

Government says reduction won't cause a humanitarian crisis

By Wesley Oliver,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 28, 2007 6:32 PM CDT

(Newser) – Israel cut Gaza’s fuel supply today in a bid to force the strip's Hamas government to curb rocket attacks on Israel. An Israeli official told the New York Times the plan was to cut deliveries 5 to 11%, but a Gazan official told the AP shipments were short by over 30%. Israel also closed one of two crossings through which food and medicine flow into Gaza.

Defense Minister Ehud Barak approved the fuel restrictions late last week, saying the cutbacks would apply pressure but not cause a humanitarian crisis. Ten Israeli and Palestinian humanitarian groups disagreed, and are petitioning to stop the reduction, CNN reports.  U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon objected to the measures, saying they amount to "collective punishment."

Ehud Barak, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense of Israel speaks to reporters after his meeting with Secretary General ofthe  United Nations Ban Ki-moon at U.N. Headquarters  Friday, Oct.  19,  2007  (AP Photo/David Karp)
Ehud Barak, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense of Israel speaks to reporters after his meeting with Secretary General ofthe United Nations Ban Ki-moon at U.N. Headquarters Friday, Oct. 19,...   (Associated Press)
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, left, sits next to Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak during a reception in the Prime Minister's sukkah, a traditional shack built for the week long Jewish holiday of Sukkot, in Jerusalem, Sept. 30, 2007. Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will...
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, left, sits next to Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak during a reception in the Prime Minister's sukkah, a traditional shack built for the week long Jewish holiday...   (Associated Press)
Palestinian workers unload gas canisters at a factory in Gaza City Sunday, Oct. 28, 2007. Israel on Sunday began cutting vital fuel shipments to the Gaza Strip, following through on a promise to step up pressure on the area's Hamas rulers in response to months of Palestinian rocket attacks. (AP...
Palestinian workers unload gas canisters at a factory in Gaza City Sunday, Oct. 28, 2007. Israel on Sunday began cutting vital fuel shipments to the Gaza Strip, following through on a promise to step...   (Associated Press)
A Palestinian pharmacist serves a customer during a routine power outage in Gaza City, Friday, Oct. 26, 2007. Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert promised Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Friday that he would not cause a humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, despite his government's declared intention to carry out...
A Palestinian pharmacist serves a customer during a routine power outage in Gaza City, Friday, Oct. 26, 2007. Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert promised Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Friday...   (Associated Press)
A Palestinian truck driver places an EU flag on a fuel tanker as he waits for fuel coming from Israel on the Gaza Strip border Sunday, Oct. 28, 2007.  Israel on Sunday began cutting vital fuel shipments to the Gaza Strip, following through on a promise to step up pressure...
A Palestinian truck driver places an EU flag on a fuel tanker as he waits for fuel coming from Israel on the Gaza Strip border Sunday, Oct. 28, 2007. Israel on Sunday began cutting vital fuel shipments...   (Associated Press)
A Palestinian fills tanks with fuel at a gas station in Gaza City Sunday, Oct. 28, 2007. Israel on Sunday began cutting vital fuel shipments to the Gaza Strip, following through on a promise to step up pressure on the area's Hamas rulers in response to months of Palestinian rocket...
A Palestinian fills tanks with fuel at a gas station in Gaza City Sunday, Oct. 28, 2007. Israel on Sunday began cutting vital fuel shipments to the Gaza Strip, following through on a promise to step up...   (Associated Press)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

More Newser Stories

Hamas Support Grows in West Bank

Abbas Calls for Renewed Talks With Hamas

Gaza Fighting Kills at Least 23

Hamas Seeks Talks With Fatah Over Gaza

Olmert, Abbas Talk on Palestinian Soil


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne