UN warns Gaza services will 'collapse' due to fuel shortage

The UN says an alternative way of getting fuel to Gaza must be found urgently, warning of dwindling supplies needed to run hospitals, pick up garbage, pump water and treat sewage.

The appeal late on Sunday by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) came two days after the fuel terminal at the main cargo crossing with Israel was damaged during protests.

It is the only entry point for fuel to Gaza and officials say it could take months to repair.

Israel has held Gaza's Hamas rulers responsible, while the group has not commented publicly.

"To avoid a collapse of essential services, an alternative arrangement for the entry of fuel is urgently needed until the Kerem Shalom fuel pipelines are repaired," OCHA said.

The closure comes at a time when Hamas is trying to break a decade-old blockade of Gaza by Israel and Egypt with mass border protests, with the largest crowd yet expected on Monday.

Gaza has been depending on electricity purchased from Israel since the territory's only power plant shutdown a month ago and Egypt stopped electricity supplies.