The only power plant in the Gaza Strip decreased production to half and will shut down later Sunday due to fuel shortage after Israel sealed off all crossing points into the enclave, Palestinian officials said.
"Unfortunately, because of the lack of fuel deliveries, we have started to stop the work at the station," said Rafiq Maliha, director of Gaza power plant company.
"At 9:30 a.m. (0730 GMT) we have stopped a turbine and the second turbine will stop after a few hours," Maliha added, estimating a blackout in large parts of the Gaza Strip at 8:00 p.m.(1800 GMT).
Israel provides the Gaza Strip with almost half of its electricity and the power plant produces less than 50 percent of the need. The electricity was cut off in many parts of the Gaza Strip since the fuel crisis started to emerge.
On Thursday, Israel completely closed Gaza Strip crossings following a surge of violence between the Israeli army and Palestinian militant groups.
Israel launched an offensive into the Hamas-run Gaza Strip on Jan. 14 and has killed more than 37 Palestinians since then. The passages were already closed since June last year when Hamas took over the territory by force. However, a few crossings were dedicated to allow vital medicine and food supplies into the impoverished area.
The Gaza Strip, home to about 1.5 million Palestinians, heavily depends on outside aid inflow of almost everything, from basic foodstuffs to medicine.
Source:Xinhua
|
Comment
Tell A Friend
Print Format
Save Article