The international community rounded on Israel today demanding an end to its blockade of the Gaza Strip as Palestinians reported mounting fuel and food shortages and hospitals ran short of power and medical supplies.

The lights went out on the Strip last night when the only electricity plant in the seaside territory closed down after Israel cut off fuel deliveries.

Many inhabitants, including fishermen, were unable to work today due to fuel shortages. Essential supplies and United Nations’ aid were blocked from entering the territory, and the UN warned it would be forced to stop distributing emergency food by the end of the week.

British, European Union and UN officials said that they were pressing Israel to allow fuel and medicine immediately into Gaza, where 1.5 million people live.

David Miliband, the Foreign Secretary, and Douglas Alexander, the Secretary of State for International Development, have issued a joint statement condemning the blockade.

“We do not support Israel’s decision to close all crossings into Gaza, preventing the delivery of vital humanitarian supplies as well as fuel to the Gaza power station,” they said.

“Reports that electricity has been cut due to fuel shortages are particularly alarming and require urgent attention. Continued fuel shortages will have immediate humanitarian consequences, including on the supply of clean water.

“We appeal to all parties to work for the reopening of the crossings. . . Israeli security and justice for Palestinians will not be achieved by cutting off fuel or by firing rockets.”

The UN is struggling to maintain food aid provided to 860,000 Palestinian refugees by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency. Richard Miron, spokesman for Robert Serry, the UN Middle East envoy called for an immediate end to the sanctions.

“We hope and expect nothing less than a positive decision today to allow fuel shipments and medicines into Gaza. We want this to happen today,” said Mr Miron.

Benita Ferrero Waldner, the EU External Relations Commissioner, went further by condemning the sanctions imposed by the Israeli government in response to rockets fired across the border by Hamas militants.

“I am against this collective punishment of the people of Gaza. I urge the Israeli authorities to restart fuel supplies and open the crossings for the passage of humanitarian and commercial supplies,” she said.

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