December 10, 2007 (LPAC)--United Nations officials called for swift action Monday to end a fuel and electricity shortage, mainly caused by Israeli sanctions, that has aggravated a health crisis in the Hamas-run Gaza Strip.

The World Health Organization and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency said fuel shortages in Gaza have made it harder for health services to function, Reuters reports.

"WHO and UNRWA are appealing to all parties involved to ensure that in the future all health facilities in Gaza are supplied with the appropriate amount of electricity and fuel to provide fully functional services," a statement said.

Israel began restricting fuel supplies in October. On October 30, the Israeli Supreme Court gave its approval of the cuts. On November 30, the Israeli Attorney General, while approving other sanctions, said fuel and electricity should not be further cut.

Monday, in Brussels, Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad urged Israel to lift its blockade on Gaza, saying his Fatah-backed government had indicated its willingness to manage the crossings in and out of the strip if Israel agrees to lift the blockade.

Back in October, the European Union warned Israel against imposing "collective punishment" on the 1.5 million Palestinians in the coastal strip by reducing the territory's fuel supplies.