UN chief calls for Israel to re-open Gaza crossings: spokesman

Among the crossings shut down on Saturday as a security measure is the Rafah conduit -- the only gateway for Gazans to the outside world that does not pass through Israel.

It had reopened for the movement of people on February 2, nearly two years after Israeli forces seized control of it during the war with Hamas.

"Israeli authorities have closed all crossings, including Rafah, and have suspended humanitarian movements in and near areas where Israeli troops remain deployed in Gaza," said spokesman Stephane Dujarric.

"It is imperative that all crossings be reopened... as soon as possible. In recent days, our partners have been forced to ration fuel, prioritize life-saving operations, albeit in reduced capacity as our local stocks are going down."

Dujarric said that there were some stockpiles already in Gaza but that "when the doors are shut, we obviously stretch whatever we have to make it last longer."