EU urges Israel to restart fuel supplies to Gaza

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Commission urged Israel on Monday to restart fuel supplies to Gaza and open border crossings, saying that Israel's blockade would worsen the situation on the ground and not help prevent attacks.

"I have made clear that I am against this collective punishment of the people of Gaza," EU External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner said in a statement.

"I urge the Israeli authorities to restart fuel supplies and open the crossings for the passage of humanitarian and commercial supplies."

Large parts of the Gaza Strip were plunged into darkness on Sunday when its main power plant shut down after Israel blocked fuel supplies in response to rocket attacks from Gaza.

EU personnel help monitor the Rafah crossing point between the Gaza Strip and Egypt. EU-funded fuel for the Gaza power plant is being held in storage at the Nahal Oz crossing, awaiting Israel's decision on resuming supplies.

Ferrero-Waldner said the decision to close border crossings and stop fuel provision "will exacerbate an already dire humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and risks escalating an already difficult situation on the ground".

The Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip, home to around 1.5 million people, has also stopped U.N. aid shipments that include food and other humanitarian supplies.

"Neither the blockade nor the recent military strikes are able to prevent the rocket attacks. Only a credible political agreement this year, as foreseen at Annapolis, can turn Palestinians away from violence," Ferrero-Waldner added, referring to U.S.-hosted talks late last year.

(Reporting by Ingrid Melander; Editing by Mark John)