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Israel's Gaza fuel cuts alarm UN Israel's Gaza fuel cuts alarm UN
(about 2 hours later)
Israeli fuel sanctions against the Hamas-run Gaza Strip punish an entire population and are unacceptable, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has said.Israeli fuel sanctions against the Hamas-run Gaza Strip punish an entire population and are unacceptable, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has said.
He spoke after Israel began reducing petrol and diesel supplies in line with its declaration last month that the Strip is a hostile entity. The EU also voiced concern after Israel began reducing petrol and diesel supplies in response to militants rocket attacks on its territory.
Hamas seized control of the Strip in June from its Palestinian rivals Fatah.Hamas seized control of the Strip in June from its Palestinian rivals Fatah.
The European Union also voiced concern at the Israeli cuts, calling them "collective punishment". Israel's attorney-general is seeking a halt to electricity cuts pending an assessment of their likely impact.
BBC producer Rushdi Abu Alouf in Gaza says that the cuts in supply are not being felt by Gazans yet. Gaza relies on Israel for almost all its fuel and petrol, and more than half of its electricity.
Israel says the supply cuts are a non-violent way of increasing pressure on Hamas, and follow continued rocket attacks from Gaza. Israel says fuel cuts of up to 15% are a non-violent way of increasing pressure on Hamas.
An Israeli official, Shlomo Dror, said oil supplies were being cut by up to 15% over the coming week but there would be no reduction in supply to Gaza's power station. It insists there will be enough power for hospitals and that supplies will continue to Gaza's sole power station.
Israel says there will be enough fuel for hospitals.
Israeli and Palestinian human rights groups have filed a petition at the Israeli supreme court in an attempt to halt the cuts.
'Humanitarian distress''Humanitarian distress'
In a statement read out by a spokesperson, Mr Ban urged Palestinian militants to end indiscriminate rocket attacks on Israel, which he condemned.In a statement read out by a spokesperson, Mr Ban urged Palestinian militants to end indiscriminate rocket attacks on Israel, which he condemned.
But he also stated his belief that the "punitive measures taken by Israel... harm the well-being of the entire population of the Gaza Strip".But he also stated his belief that the "punitive measures taken by Israel... harm the well-being of the entire population of the Gaza Strip".
The cuts would, he said, "deepen the humanitarian distress" of Gaza's 1.4m residents.The cuts would, he said, "deepen the humanitarian distress" of Gaza's 1.4m residents.
Benita Ferrero-Waldner, EU commissioner for external relations, said on a visit to Jerusalem she was "very concerned" about the Israeli move though she understood Israel's "distress" over rocket attacks.Benita Ferrero-Waldner, EU commissioner for external relations, said on a visit to Jerusalem she was "very concerned" about the Israeli move though she understood Israel's "distress" over rocket attacks.
"I think collective punishment is never a solution," she said."I think collective punishment is never a solution," she said.
As part of its sanctions, Israel envisages shutting down one of its power lines to Gaza for 15 minutes after a rocket attack, with the cut-off period gradually increasing to a two-hour limit if barrages continue.
Attorney-General Menahem Mazouz said cuts in electricity supplies could not be allowed before a full assessment of the possible humanitarian consequences.
Mr Mazouz, who is also the government's legal adviser, called on security chiefs to carry out "supplementary examinations".
However, the justice ministry statement confirmed that the attorney-general had approved the decision to make fuel cuts.
Israeli and Palestinian human rights groups have filed a petition at the Israeli Supreme Court in an attempt to halt the cuts.
'A real crime''A real crime'
The move has been condemned by Hamas, which governs the territory, and a number of international organisations. BBC producer Rushdi Abu Alouf in Gaza says that cuts in supply are not being felt by Gazans yet.
The cuts have been condemned by Hamas, which governs the territory, and a number of international organisations.
"The Israeli decision is a real crime against 1.5 million Palestinians in Gaza," said Hamas spokesman Taher Nouno."The Israeli decision is a real crime against 1.5 million Palestinians in Gaza," said Hamas spokesman Taher Nouno.
Rockets are fired by Palestinian militants from Gaza into Israel on an almost daily basis. Israel withdrew all its settlements from Gaza in 2005.Rockets are fired by Palestinian militants from Gaza into Israel on an almost daily basis. Israel withdrew all its settlements from Gaza in 2005.
Palestinian militants say they are responding to continued Israeli aggression in Gaza and the West Bank.Palestinian militants say they are responding to continued Israeli aggression in Gaza and the West Bank.