Israel has agreed to ease a blockade imposed because of a surge in Palestinian rocket attacks by allowing a one-time shipment of diesel fuel and medicine into Gaza on Tuesday, Israeli defence officials said Monday.

The decision was made at a high-level meeting called by Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak. It came on the heels of pleas from a UN agency that said Monday it may have to halt food distribution to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip within two days unless Israel allowed some deliveries through.

A Palestinian man sells candles in his shop in Gaza City on Sunday.
(Hatem Moussa/Associated Press)

"Because of a shortage of nylon for plastic bags and fuel for vehicles and generators, on Wednesday or Thursday we are going to have to suspend our food distribution program to 860,000 people in Gaza if the present situation continues," said Christopher Gunness, a spokesman for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).

Israel closed its borders with the Gaza Strip on Friday as part of a crackdown spurred by increased Palestinian rocket attacks in southern Israel.

Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas appealed to Israel late Sunday to open the crossings to Gaza and allow food, fuel and medical supplies into the region.

The appeal came hours after Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, shut down Gaza's main power plant, blaming a lack of fuel supplies on the border closures.

Abbas, whose Fatah party governs the West Bank, appealed to Israeli leaders late Sunday, said his spokesman, Nabil Abu Rdeneh.

Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported Monday that Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert told Egyptian and Dutch leaders that Israel would not allow a humanitarian crisis to develop in Gaza.

"We will provide the population with everything needed to prevent a crisis, but we will not supply luxuries that would make life more comfortable," Haaretz reported Olmert said.

In comments broadcast in Israel, Olmert blamed Hamas for the situation.

"As far as I'm concerned, Gaza residents will walk, without gas for their cars, because they have a murderous, terrorist regime that doesn't let people in southern Israel live in peace," he said.

Hours after the shutdown, Hamas said five patients had died because of an electricity shortage in hospitals, but the Associated Press reported Monday that anonymous Palestinian health officials have denied that claim.

Long lineups for food

Many Gaza bakeries were shut Monday after people lined up for hours on Sunday in anticipation of the plant closure. Residents of the strip typically have fresh pita bread as a main part of their diet.

Haaretz reported there is no critical food shortage so far, but said Israeli officials and Hamas agree a humanitarian crisis could develop within days if food supplies are not allowed into Gaza.

Demonstrators wave Palestinian flags and hold banners during a rally in support of Gaza in the West Bank city of Ramallah on Monday.
(Muhammed Muheisen/Associated Press)

Speaking from Gaza City on Monday, CBC correspondent Peter Armstrong said there is a long lineup outside one of the few open bakeries, which is running on a generator.

"There's a very long line outside, there's pushing and shoving," said Armstrong. "Police were called here to try to keep some order."

Armstrong said customers are concerned the generator will soon run out of fuel and are trying to buy as much food as they can.

A top European Union official acknowledged Israel's need to defend itself and called for an immediate end to rocket attacks, but said the Gaza border closures can only worsen the situation.

"Neither the blockade nor the recent military strikes are able to prevent the rocket attacks. Only a credible political agreement this year … can turn Palestinians away from violence," EU external relations commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner said in a statement Monday.

Blackout a 'ploy,' says Israel

Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Arye Mekel said Hamas is creating an artificial emergency as a "ploy … to attract international sympathy."

Israel, which supplies two-thirds of Gaza's electricity, said the territory is receiving 75 per cent of its regular electricity supplies, but acknowledged the fuel supplies have been stopped.

Barak ordered the crossings closed in response to Palestinian rocket attacks in southern Israel. The border closures effectively cut off shipments of fuel, along with UN aid shipments of food and medicine.

Palestinian militants increased their attacks on Israel following an Israeli raid last Tuesday that left at least 19 Palestinians dead.

Speaking to Israeli Army Radio on Monday, Israeli Vice-Premier Haim Ramon said Palestinian rocket attacks dropped to five on Sunday, compared to 53 in the two previous days.

"This is a tough battle and difficult battle and strong battle," Ramon told Army Radio. "We need patience and determination for this struggle."

Plea from exiled leader

People living in the narrow strip of land held a candlelight vigil Sunday night to protest the closure of the main power plant.

In a rare public appearance, the exiled leader of Hamas urged Arab leaders to work with Abbas and help Palestinians in Gaza.

"Oh Arab leaders, every minute in which a Palestinian dies in Gaza, you are responsible for his blood and soul before God," Khaled Mashal told Al-Jazeera satellite TV in a live interview from Syria, where he lives in Damascus.

"God is not going to forgive you nor Hamas if we don't meet on the grounds of brotherhood…. This is a sincere call, without any politics."

Israel, with Egypt's co-operation, has blockaded Gaza, and allowed only basic food items and humanitarian supplies to enter since June, when the militants of Hamas seized power.

With files from the Associated Press