Fuel supplies to the Gaza Strip will be reduced gradually, a measure approved by the Israeli Defense Minister on Sunday, amidst concerns that this will further set back the dire humanitarian situation there.

'Gaza is already functioning at a minimum standard. If fuel supplies become rationed, we are looking at a furthering deterioration in humanitarian conditions on the ground,' said Charles Clayton, National Director, for World Vision Jerusalem WestBank Gaza.

Sixty per cent of Gaza's fuel supplies currently comes from Israel in order to run the electricity plant.

EU and Palestinian officials raised concerns that the move will cripple life in the Gaza Strip, which has become increasingly isolated since the Hamas takeover in June.

Human rights organisations also protested the move, especially those based within Israel, who filed a petition with the Israeli Supreme Court, concerned that this is a form of collective punishment. Gaza has a population of 1.5 million, which depends on fuel for conducting daily activities. Rockets continue to be launched from Gaza onto the Israeli border town of Sderot and cutbacks this time were made in lieu of a widespread military operation, Israeli officials stated.

This is not the first time fuel supplies were restricted. Earlier in August, Israel applied similar measures that lasted five days, because of concerns that the Hamas government was benefiting indirectly from fuel supplies by trying to impose a household tax on electrical bills in order to fund its activities. Supplies were reinstated after a negotiated settlement that circumvented the Hamas government.

World Vision will monitor developments in this matter and will watch for any adverse results this new policy has on the civilian population.