White House spokesman John Kirby said Thursday that the United States has confidence in its intelligence agencies’ assessment of Hamas activities at Al Shifa hospital and would neither share nor elaborate on it.
Two telecommunications companies in Gaza said that all energy sources supplying the network had been exhausted and therefore all services in the area had been shut down. Israel denies importing the fuel, saying Hamas could use it for military purposes.
With communications down and fuel shortages, UNRWA, the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees, said it was impossible to coordinate humanitarian aid truck convoys.
UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini said, “If the fuel doesn’t come, people will start dying because of the lack of fuel. Exactly when, I don’t know. But it will happen sooner or later.”
Till late Thursday night, there was no further statement from Paltel and Jawawal companies, whose internet, mobile phone and landline networks remained inactive.
Palestinian civilians have borne the brunt of Israel’s week-long military campaign in response to Hamas’ October 7 attack, which Israel says killed 1,200 people, mostly civilians.