GAZA, (Palestine Foundation Information Center), Gaza Municipality has warned of the consequences of a severe shortage of maintenance supplies for its vehicles and machinery as winter and the rainy season approach.
The municipality said shortages of spare parts, oils, tires, batteries and hydraulic system supplies have forced a number of its vehicles out of service and are limiting its ability to keep operating equipment ready.
It explained that the lack of engine oils, hydraulic fluids and essential spare parts is preventing stalled vehicles from being returned to service. Field crews rely on these vehicles to carry out vital services, including cleaning and rehabilitating stormwater drains, pumping water, maintaining sewage networks, opening roads and responding to emergencies.
The municipality said the need to raise the readiness of vehicles and equipment is increasing as the rainy season draws near, especially given the widespread damage to infrastructure in the Gaza Strip. Rainfall could cause water accumulation, road closures and disruption to movement in damaged areas.
It added that several repairable vehicles remain out of service because basic maintenance supplies are unavailable, while municipal crews continue fieldwork with the limited resources at hand despite growing service needs among residents.
Risks rise with winter
The readiness of municipal vehicles becomes especially important during winter, given the scale of destruction to Gaza’s road networks, sewage systems and infrastructure. Crews depend on this equipment to deal with rainwater, open roads, remove obstacles and respond to emergencies.
The municipality warned that continued shortages could affect its ability to carry out these tasks, particularly with the start of the rainy season and the need to operate as many vehicles and machines as possible.
The Gaza Municipality appealed to UN bodies, international institutions and partners to intervene urgently to provide spare parts, oils, tires, batteries, filters and other maintenance supplies, and to help facilitate their entry into the Gaza Strip.
It said providing these items would help return stalled vehicles to service and strengthen municipal crews’ ability to deliver basic services to residents, especially during the rainy season.
