JERUSALEM, May 4: The UN relief agency for Palestinian refugees is to suspend its food aid distribution in Gaza on Monday because of a lack of fuel caused by the Israeli blockade, a spokesman said on Sunday.

“We have exhausted our stocks of fuel, and are therefore forced to stop our food distributions to 1.5 million inhabitants in the Gaza Strip from Monday morning,” UNWRA spokesman Chris Gunness said.

“It’s the second time in a week,” he added. “In the long-term, the humanitarian situation is terrible.” The agency only resumed distributing aid in the besieged Palestinian territory last Tuesday after a previous four-day interruption caused by fuel shortages.

UNRWA’s decision came hours after the Israeli army said it shut two key crossings with Gaza through which most of the Hamas-ruled territory is supplied after they came under mortar fire.

The Karni and Nahal Oz crossings — through which most of the impoverished territory receives its food, medical supplies, humanitarian aid and fuel — would remain closed “until further notice,” an army spokeswoman said.—AFP