"We continue to be deeply concerned by the growing humanitarian impact of restrictions by the Government of Israel on industrial diesel supplies to Gaza, particularly on the most vulnerable sections of the population. We welcome Israel's recent decision to increase the supply of industrial diesel and continue to urge them to lift all restrictions on fuel with immediate effect.
"We utterly condemn the rocket attacks from Gaza into Israel. We support all efforts to stop these attacks consistent with obligations under international law. The humanitarian needs of people who are in no way associated with the rocket attacks should not however be compromised. Reports indicate that the Gaza Power Station had cut electricity production by 30% because the reductions in industrial diesel supplies since October have reportedly left reserves near exhaustion.
"The resulting power cuts had left vital infrastructure such as hospitals, schools, water and sewage systems, as well as households, reliant on backup generators. This further aggravated the already difficult humanitarian situation in Gaza.
"We also welcome Israel's recent lifting of the restrictions on non-industrial diesel, important for back-up generators and ambulances, and hope that this will not be reversed.
"We encourage all parties to focus their efforts on moving forward the process started in Annapolis and Paris in December 2007."