No entry of fuel for Gaza 'under any circumstances', Israeli minister Smotrich says

Fuel will not be allowed into the Gaza Strip "under any circumstances", Israel's far-right finance minister Bezalel Smotrich has vowed, as the bombed-out Palestinian enclave's most essential services shut down for lack of power.

"Fuel will not be allowed into Gaza under any circumstances," Smotrich reportedly told the Israeli outlet Channel 12.

Israel began its relentless bombing of Gaza on 7 October, so far killing almost 10,000 people, including close to 4,000 children.

Soon after beginning its bombardment, Israel placed Gaza – which had already been under an Israeli blockade for more than 15 years – under a "total siege" that prevented the entry of fuel needed to keep healthcare, telecommunications, and other essential services going.

Many hospitals have had to shut down completely for lack of fuel needed to keep their generators running, putting yet more Palestinian lives at risk.

The fuel shortage has also put bakeries and drinking water pumping engines out of service.

Smotrich also vowed that Hamas would be removed from power in Gaza and replaced with Israeli military control "for years".

"We will not destroy Hamas only to have another entity take its place," he told Channel 12.

This is how the martyrs and injured are transported as a result of the bombing of Gaza. "Ambulances can't find fuel." pic.twitter.com/1K7lMrIaSD

— Gaza Now in English (@EnglishGaza) November 5, 2023

Israeli officials have repeatedly vowed to "eradicate" Hamas, particularly since the group launched a surprise attack on Israeli territory on 7 October that killed 1,400 people.

Officials from the US and countries in the Middle East have reportedly discussed who might replace Hamas, who were elected to power in Gaza in a 2006 election.

Reuters cited anonymous sources as saying that the discussions proposed options such as deploying multinational forces to Gaza and forming an interim administration led by Palestinians but excluding politicians affiliated with Hamas.  

Suggestions made also included temporarily assigning a role in security and administration to neighbouring Arab countries, with temporary United Nations oversight of the region.