DOR ENERGY, THE ISRAELI COMPANY THAT PROVIDES FUEL TO THE PALESTINIAN AREAS, IS CUTTING OFF SUPPLIES DUE TO GROWING DEBTS, ISRAEL AND PALESTINIAN OFFICIALS SAID WEDNESDAY. PALESTINIANS WARNED THE MOVE WOULD DEEPEN A HUMANITARIAN CRISIS BREWING IN THE WEST BANK AND GAZA STRIP. THE HEAD OF THE PALESTINIAN PETROL COMMISSION, MUJAHID SALAME, SAID HE EXPECTED GASOLINE SUPPLIES TO RUN OUT ON THURSDAY. «IF THIS HAPPENS, THERE WILL BE A HUMANITARIAN CRISIS,» HE SAID. HE SAID PALESTINIAN OFFICIALS WERE IN TOUCH WITH AMERICAN AND EUROPEAN DIPLOMATS IN HOPES OF PRESSURING ISRAEL TO REVERSE THE MOVE BY DOR ENERGY. ASAF SHARIF, A TOP AIDE TO ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER EHUD OLMERT, CONFIRMED THAT DOR HAS DECIDED TO HALT THE SHIPMENTS, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS REPORTED.
