Gaza’s 1.5 million residents are facing an “alarming” humanitarian situation under constant Israeli bombardment, with the main power plant shut down, overcrowded hospitals struggling to cope, and very limited food supplies, UN officials warned today.

UN humanitarian chief John Holmes said the power plant shut down on Tuesday because Israel had blocked fuel delivery through the main pipeline since December 26.

He said this has forced hospitals to use generators, which have limited fuel supplies, and left many of the 650,000 people in central and northern Gaza with power cuts of 16 hours a day or more.

He said. “The situation remains alarming.”