UNITED NATIONS, Oct 24 (Reuters) - Israel's military suggested on Tuesday that the United Nations ask Hamas for fuel supplies after the U.N. agency providing aid to Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip warned it would have to halt operations on Wednesday night if no fuel was delivered.
The Israel Defense Forces reposted it and said that Hamas militants have more than 500,000 litres of fuel in tanks inside besieged Gaza.
"Ask Hamas if you can have some," the IDF wrote.
While there have been some limited deliveries of food, water and medicine since Saturday, no fuel has been allowed in.
Israel is concerned about the possible diversion of fuel deliveries by Hamas and White House national security spokesman John Kirby on Tuesday described Israel's concerns as legitimate.
However, Israel's military spokesperson Daniel Hagari on Tuesday accused Hamas of stealing petrol from UNRWA, adding: "Petrol will not enter Gaza.
Hastings told the Security Council that no fuel "means no hospitals functioning, no desalination of water and no baking.". »