Accusations and denials over Gaza fuel

Israel has denied it has begun to cut fuel supplies to the Gaza Strip, despite accusations from Hamas. Israel supplies oil, paid for by the European Union, to Gaza’s only power station, as well as to fuel stations. Israel threatened to act last week, in retaliation for a wave of cross-border rocket attacks from Gaza, which Israel denounces as a hostile entity.

One and a half million people in the Gaza Strip are cut off from the outside world. Israel decides who or what enters and leaves, and controls all aspects of daily life.

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is determined to crack down on Hamas, but he’s under pressure from the United Nations to use non-violent methods.

The UN also warned Israel not to inflict collective punishment on the people of Gaza by denying them vital supplies.

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