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Israel hits Gaza amid fuel fears | Israel hits Gaza amid fuel fears |
(about 22 hours later) | |
Four Hamas militants have been killed by Israeli forces in two separate incidents in the Gaza Strip. | |
The army said one was about to launch mortar shells at Israel from near Gaza City - a claim disputed by Hamas. Three died in fighting near the Gaza border. | |
Israeli troops have killed about 20 people in the coastal strip in less than a week, mostly Hamas members. | |
The incidents come as medical officials in Gaza say hospitals are beginning to run out of vital fuel supplies. | |
Israel says its actions in Gaza are a response to security threats, including the regular firing of rockets into its territory. | Israel says its actions in Gaza are a response to security threats, including the regular firing of rockets into its territory. |
'Collective punishment' | |
The BBC's correspondent in the Palestinian territories, Aleem Maqbool, says it is not just military pressure that Israel is exerting on Gaza. Sanctions have been imposed as well. | |
These include the reduction of fuel supplies upon which Gaza depends. On Sunday, the Fuel Companies Association there said it refused a delivery after it was offered just one-quarter of the normal amount it receives. | These include the reduction of fuel supplies upon which Gaza depends. On Sunday, the Fuel Companies Association there said it refused a delivery after it was offered just one-quarter of the normal amount it receives. |
The association's chairman said accepting such low supplies would amount to participating in what he called "collective punishment by Israel". | The association's chairman said accepting such low supplies would amount to participating in what he called "collective punishment by Israel". |
Officials say most petrol stations in Gaza have shut, and that medical patients are now at risk because fuel supplies at hospitals - vital for running generators - are running out. | Officials say most petrol stations in Gaza have shut, and that medical patients are now at risk because fuel supplies at hospitals - vital for running generators - are running out. |
There has been good news for some, our correspondent says: Israel allowed around 250 people to leave Gaza for Egypt. | |
Most either study or work abroad, but had been trapped since June, following the Hamas takeover of the territory, when Israel imposed strict travel restrictions. | Most either study or work abroad, but had been trapped since June, following the Hamas takeover of the territory, when Israel imposed strict travel restrictions. |
Several thousand people, needing to get out of Gaza, have registered with the Israeli authorities. | Several thousand people, needing to get out of Gaza, have registered with the Israeli authorities. |
They include medical patients, some of whom have died in recent weeks, waiting for treatment only available outside Gaza. | They include medical patients, some of whom have died in recent weeks, waiting for treatment only available outside Gaza. |