30 june 2014
Officials at the Gaza Strip power plant announced Monday that they are no longer able to provide electricity for eight hours per day.
The company said in a statement that it was “doing its utmost” to provide power for water wells, sewage plants, hospitals and medical centers to prevent any humanitarian or environmental disaster.
The statement called upon all concerned parties to increase the available amount of electricity.
The company recommended people not to increase their consumption of electricity, especially in the hot weather, and to avoid turning on air conditioning in public and private facilities and mosques.
The company said in a statement that it was “doing its utmost” to provide power for water wells, sewage plants, hospitals and medical centers to prevent any humanitarian or environmental disaster.
The statement called upon all concerned parties to increase the available amount of electricity.
The company recommended people not to increase their consumption of electricity, especially in the hot weather, and to avoid turning on air conditioning in public and private facilities and mosques.
The carcass of a donkey is seen on a beach in the central Gaza Strip June 26, 2014
By Nidal al-Mughrabi
When Palestinians in the Gaza Strip seek some relief from the grind of life in an enclave plagued by conflict and hardship, they usually need to look no further than their sandy beaches.
But this summer access to the cooling waters of the Mediterranean is gradually being closed off to Gaza's 1.8 million residents, due to pollution stemming from the fuel shortages that have halted work at sewage treatment facilities.
The blighted shoreline adds to the grind of Gazan life so far unrelieved by the reconciliation pact which the dominant Islamist group Hamas signed with Western-backed President Mahmoud Abbas.
One Hamas official mooted retaking charge of the territory if the Abbas-led new government did not wade in with remedies.
Baha al-Agha of the Gaza Environment Quality Authority said about 100,000 cubic metres of untreated waste water are being pumped into the sea daily.
"Swimming is prohibited" signs have gone up at several beaches. But at one of Gaza's most popular beaches, dozens of people, including children, splashed in the water over the weekend despite the posted warning.
"Things are getting worse day by day in the absence of real and quick solutions," Agha told Reuters. He called on the Palestinian unity government formed earlier this month to act immediately, "before Gaza beaches are declared a disaster area".
Egypt's closure of most of the estimated 1,200 cross-border smuggling tunnels run by Hamas has virtually stopped cheap Egyptian fuel coming into Gaza.
Egypt's military-backed government fear the tunnels are used to take weapons into the Sinai Peninsula, and accuses Hamas of backing the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood. Hamas denies it helps militants in Egypt.
Israel has its own blockade on Gaza, allowing in fuel and restricted imports since Hamas took control in 2007. But the Israeli fuel costs twice as much as Egyptian imports.
GARBAGE PILING UP
Gazan residents said they had little to celebrate at the start on Sunday of the Muslim month of Ramadan - traditionally a time for worship but also for family feasts in the evening at the end of a daily daytime fast.
Garbage has been piling up on the streets, with some 75 percent of sanitation trucks idled by the Gaza municipality's inability to pay high fuel prices.
"Tunnels are closed, crossings are closed, there is no sea port ... and now they are telling us the beaches are closed? Wouldn't it be easier if they just let us die in peace?" asked Ali Abu Hassan, a 46-year-old taxi driver.
Driving along Gaza's coastal road, the smell of sewage is sharp and waves hitting the beach are yellowish and brown.
Many in the Gaza Strip are also feeling the pinch of a salary dispute that could test the resilience of the new Hamas-Abbas unity government. Some 40,000 public servants hired by Hamas since it seized the Gaza Strip seven years ago from forces loyal to Abbas have not been paid in full for months due to a cash crunch caused by Egypt's tunnel crackdown.
Hopes of receiving wages quickly under the unity government were dashed when the new administration said it must first vet the employees before paying them - a process that could take months.
Hamas-hired workers, who held a one-day strike on Thursday, are particularly resentful that Abbas's Palestinian Authority has been paying its Gaza-based staff regularly, even though they have not reported to work since 2007.
Moussa Abu Marzouk, a senior Hamas official, accused the Palestinian Authority of keeping order only in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, where Abbas's secular Fatah party has sway.
"I'm afraid that Hamas may be invited to return so as to preserve the security and the stability of the people of Gaza," he wrote on Facebook. "Gaza is under the responsibility neither of the former government nor of the unity government. Does this mean they (PA) have torn up the reconciliation agreement?"
By Nidal al-Mughrabi
When Palestinians in the Gaza Strip seek some relief from the grind of life in an enclave plagued by conflict and hardship, they usually need to look no further than their sandy beaches.
But this summer access to the cooling waters of the Mediterranean is gradually being closed off to Gaza's 1.8 million residents, due to pollution stemming from the fuel shortages that have halted work at sewage treatment facilities.
The blighted shoreline adds to the grind of Gazan life so far unrelieved by the reconciliation pact which the dominant Islamist group Hamas signed with Western-backed President Mahmoud Abbas.
One Hamas official mooted retaking charge of the territory if the Abbas-led new government did not wade in with remedies.
Baha al-Agha of the Gaza Environment Quality Authority said about 100,000 cubic metres of untreated waste water are being pumped into the sea daily.
"Swimming is prohibited" signs have gone up at several beaches. But at one of Gaza's most popular beaches, dozens of people, including children, splashed in the water over the weekend despite the posted warning.
"Things are getting worse day by day in the absence of real and quick solutions," Agha told Reuters. He called on the Palestinian unity government formed earlier this month to act immediately, "before Gaza beaches are declared a disaster area".
Egypt's closure of most of the estimated 1,200 cross-border smuggling tunnels run by Hamas has virtually stopped cheap Egyptian fuel coming into Gaza.
Egypt's military-backed government fear the tunnels are used to take weapons into the Sinai Peninsula, and accuses Hamas of backing the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood. Hamas denies it helps militants in Egypt.
Israel has its own blockade on Gaza, allowing in fuel and restricted imports since Hamas took control in 2007. But the Israeli fuel costs twice as much as Egyptian imports.
GARBAGE PILING UP
Gazan residents said they had little to celebrate at the start on Sunday of the Muslim month of Ramadan - traditionally a time for worship but also for family feasts in the evening at the end of a daily daytime fast.
Garbage has been piling up on the streets, with some 75 percent of sanitation trucks idled by the Gaza municipality's inability to pay high fuel prices.
"Tunnels are closed, crossings are closed, there is no sea port ... and now they are telling us the beaches are closed? Wouldn't it be easier if they just let us die in peace?" asked Ali Abu Hassan, a 46-year-old taxi driver.
Driving along Gaza's coastal road, the smell of sewage is sharp and waves hitting the beach are yellowish and brown.
Many in the Gaza Strip are also feeling the pinch of a salary dispute that could test the resilience of the new Hamas-Abbas unity government. Some 40,000 public servants hired by Hamas since it seized the Gaza Strip seven years ago from forces loyal to Abbas have not been paid in full for months due to a cash crunch caused by Egypt's tunnel crackdown.
Hopes of receiving wages quickly under the unity government were dashed when the new administration said it must first vet the employees before paying them - a process that could take months.
Hamas-hired workers, who held a one-day strike on Thursday, are particularly resentful that Abbas's Palestinian Authority has been paying its Gaza-based staff regularly, even though they have not reported to work since 2007.
Moussa Abu Marzouk, a senior Hamas official, accused the Palestinian Authority of keeping order only in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, where Abbas's secular Fatah party has sway.
"I'm afraid that Hamas may be invited to return so as to preserve the security and the stability of the people of Gaza," he wrote on Facebook. "Gaza is under the responsibility neither of the former government nor of the unity government. Does this mean they (PA) have torn up the reconciliation agreement?"
29 june 2014
Israel has ended a ban on the international travel of Palestinian residents of Hebron beginning Sunday, the Palestinian general director of crossings and borders said.
The ban on Hebron residents using the Allenby Bridge -- the only connection to the outside world for West Bank residents under military occupation and banned from using Israel's nearby Ben Gurion airport -- was imposed on the 800,000 residents of Hebron two weeks ago after three Israeli teenagers went missing from the Jewish settlement of Gush Etzion.
The ban was lifted after great effort on the part of Palestinian officials, general director Nathmi Muhanna said.
Muhanna told Ma'an that Israeli authorities notified the Palestinian minister of civil affairs Hussein al-Sheikh that Palestinians from the Hebron district are now permitted to use the Allenby Bridge, sometimes called the King Hussein or Karama crossing, into and from Jordan.
He added that all travelers from Hebron who entered the crossing Sunday were allowed to leave for Jordan, and not a single passenger was denied.
The ban was imposed as part of wider restrictions on the movement of all Palestinians from Hebron, and the Israeli military continues to maintain a heavy presence in the region as the search for the three teenagers continues.
Israel has accused Hamas of being behind the "kidnapping," a charge Hamas has strongly denied.
Since the campaign began, seven Palestinians in the West Bank have been killed, more than 130 injured, and nearly 600 detained.
Palestinian officials have accused Israel of engaging in "collective punishment" in the campaign.
The ban on Hebron residents using the Allenby Bridge -- the only connection to the outside world for West Bank residents under military occupation and banned from using Israel's nearby Ben Gurion airport -- was imposed on the 800,000 residents of Hebron two weeks ago after three Israeli teenagers went missing from the Jewish settlement of Gush Etzion.
The ban was lifted after great effort on the part of Palestinian officials, general director Nathmi Muhanna said.
Muhanna told Ma'an that Israeli authorities notified the Palestinian minister of civil affairs Hussein al-Sheikh that Palestinians from the Hebron district are now permitted to use the Allenby Bridge, sometimes called the King Hussein or Karama crossing, into and from Jordan.
He added that all travelers from Hebron who entered the crossing Sunday were allowed to leave for Jordan, and not a single passenger was denied.
The ban was imposed as part of wider restrictions on the movement of all Palestinians from Hebron, and the Israeli military continues to maintain a heavy presence in the region as the search for the three teenagers continues.
Israel has accused Hamas of being behind the "kidnapping," a charge Hamas has strongly denied.
Since the campaign began, seven Palestinians in the West Bank have been killed, more than 130 injured, and nearly 600 detained.
Palestinian officials have accused Israel of engaging in "collective punishment" in the campaign.
28 june 2014
Egyptian authorities will open the Rafah crossing with the Gaza Strip for two days starting Sunday, a Palestinian official said.
Awad Abu Mathour told Ma'an that the crossing would be open for pilgrims traveling from Palestine to Saudi Arabia on Sunday.
Around 800 pilgrims will be heading to Mecca on Sunday, Abu Mathour said.
He added that the crossing would be open on Sunday and Monday for pilgrims returning from Saudi Arabia.
The Rafah crossing is the principal connection between Gaza's 1.7 million people and the outside world as a result of the Israeli siege on the Strip, which is enforced jointly with Egypt.
Awad Abu Mathour told Ma'an that the crossing would be open for pilgrims traveling from Palestine to Saudi Arabia on Sunday.
Around 800 pilgrims will be heading to Mecca on Sunday, Abu Mathour said.
He added that the crossing would be open on Sunday and Monday for pilgrims returning from Saudi Arabia.
The Rafah crossing is the principal connection between Gaza's 1.7 million people and the outside world as a result of the Israeli siege on the Strip, which is enforced jointly with Egypt.
26 june 2014
Israeli forces will open the Kerem Shalom commercial terminal on Friday in order to allow diesel fuel intended for usage at the Gaza power plant to enter.
Cossing director Nathmi Muhanna told Ma'an that the crossing would be open on Friday so that the fuel could enter and allow the besieged coastal enclave's sole power plant to continue functioning.
An agreement was reached Tuesday to import 250,000 liters of synthetic diesel for the Gaza power generation station, the deputy head of the energy authority in Gaza said.
The opening comes a day after Gaza authorities said a deal was reached to allow fuel to enter, but that the fuel was only enough for one day and would maintain the current eight hours per day the strip experiences.
In March, the Gulf emirate of Qatar agreed to donate money to fuel Gaza's power plant for three months.
Since Israel tightened its 7-year-long blockade of the strip in July 2013 with Egyptian support, diesel has been extremely scarce in Gaza and there have been frequent power cuts and shut downs.
The Gaza Strip has been under a severe economic blockade imposed by Israel since 2007, leading to frequent humanitarian crises.
Cossing director Nathmi Muhanna told Ma'an that the crossing would be open on Friday so that the fuel could enter and allow the besieged coastal enclave's sole power plant to continue functioning.
An agreement was reached Tuesday to import 250,000 liters of synthetic diesel for the Gaza power generation station, the deputy head of the energy authority in Gaza said.
The opening comes a day after Gaza authorities said a deal was reached to allow fuel to enter, but that the fuel was only enough for one day and would maintain the current eight hours per day the strip experiences.
In March, the Gulf emirate of Qatar agreed to donate money to fuel Gaza's power plant for three months.
Since Israel tightened its 7-year-long blockade of the strip in July 2013 with Egyptian support, diesel has been extremely scarce in Gaza and there have been frequent power cuts and shut downs.
The Gaza Strip has been under a severe economic blockade imposed by Israel since 2007, leading to frequent humanitarian crises.
The popular committee against the siege confirmed that Israel's illegal and immoral restrictions have deepened the crisis in the besieged strip of Gaza, where 70 percent of Gaza population lives below the poverty line.
In its new report issued on Tuesday, the Popular Committee stated that more than one million Palestinian depend on aid supplies provided by international, Arab and Islamic humanitarian institutions that do not meet their needs.
The poverty rate has increased dramatically to reach 50 percent, while the daily average per capita income in the Gaza Strip is estimated at two dollars, 40 times less than Israeli income rate.
The report added that fuel and power crises are the most difficult problems witnessing in the besieged strip. Closing Karem Abu Salem crossing for only one day could lead to a significant fuel crisis in addition to 8-12 hours of power cuts each day, according to the report.
The power crisis has significantly affected public services in hospitals and schools in addition to the shutdown of several factories.
The report pointed out that Israeli occupation has deliberately targeted Gaza infrastructure and construction sector, which led to heavy economic losses.
Israeli authorities have banned the entry of construction materials, which led to the stop of construction projects estimated at 500 million dollars in light of the acute housing crisis in the strip.
In 2006, 4000 tons of cements, 1500 tons of steel, and 6000 tons of gravel were daily allowed to pass through Karem Abu Salem crossing, however; Israeli authorities have completely banned the entry of construction materials.
The report said that 80 percent of factories are partially or completely stopped in Gaza Strip due to the continued Israeli ban on construction materials’ access, which led to significant increase in unemployment rate.
On the other hand, the report said that 95 percent of Gaza water is unsafe for drinking due to acute shortage of desalination plants.
The report confirmed that Israeli occupation only allows fishing within six nautical miles off Gaza shores. However; Israeli arrests and attacks against Palestinian fishermen and their fishing equipments are still continued in the allowed area.
Meanwhile, spokesman for the health ministry Ashraf Qudra warned of the serious deterioration of health situation in Gaza strip due to the unprecedented shortage in medical supplies and fuel in light of the continued unfair siege impose on Gaza Strip.
In its new report issued on Tuesday, the Popular Committee stated that more than one million Palestinian depend on aid supplies provided by international, Arab and Islamic humanitarian institutions that do not meet their needs.
The poverty rate has increased dramatically to reach 50 percent, while the daily average per capita income in the Gaza Strip is estimated at two dollars, 40 times less than Israeli income rate.
The report added that fuel and power crises are the most difficult problems witnessing in the besieged strip. Closing Karem Abu Salem crossing for only one day could lead to a significant fuel crisis in addition to 8-12 hours of power cuts each day, according to the report.
The power crisis has significantly affected public services in hospitals and schools in addition to the shutdown of several factories.
The report pointed out that Israeli occupation has deliberately targeted Gaza infrastructure and construction sector, which led to heavy economic losses.
Israeli authorities have banned the entry of construction materials, which led to the stop of construction projects estimated at 500 million dollars in light of the acute housing crisis in the strip.
In 2006, 4000 tons of cements, 1500 tons of steel, and 6000 tons of gravel were daily allowed to pass through Karem Abu Salem crossing, however; Israeli authorities have completely banned the entry of construction materials.
The report said that 80 percent of factories are partially or completely stopped in Gaza Strip due to the continued Israeli ban on construction materials’ access, which led to significant increase in unemployment rate.
On the other hand, the report said that 95 percent of Gaza water is unsafe for drinking due to acute shortage of desalination plants.
The report confirmed that Israeli occupation only allows fishing within six nautical miles off Gaza shores. However; Israeli arrests and attacks against Palestinian fishermen and their fishing equipments are still continued in the allowed area.
Meanwhile, spokesman for the health ministry Ashraf Qudra warned of the serious deterioration of health situation in Gaza strip due to the unprecedented shortage in medical supplies and fuel in light of the continued unfair siege impose on Gaza Strip.
Director of UNRWA operations in the Gaza Strip Robert Turner has denied being informed of any Israeli military operation against Gaza, saying that Israel has never informed UNRWA of such intentions.
In a press conference on Tuesday, Turner warned of the deteriorating living conditions in the besieged strip in reference to the high rates of unemployment and poverty, and the continued closure of border crossings and siege, in addition to the non-payment of salaries.
He pointed out that 37 projects provided by UNRWA estimated at 95 million dollars including schools and clinics are still waiting for the Israeli approval, saying that only the Saudi Project No. 3 was approved by Israeli authorities since March 2013.
The Saudi project includes the establishment of 865 housing units in Rafah for those whose houses were destroyed earlier, he added.
Turner renewed his demand for lifting the unfair siege on Gaza, considering it a part of Israeli collective punishment against Palestinian people. He also called on Egyptian authorities to re-open Rafah crossing for humanitarian reasons due to the deteriorating living conditions in the besieged strip.
He added that UNRWA budget deficit currently stands at $69 million, while Gaza emergency program suffers $ 22 million deficit.
In a press conference on Tuesday, Turner warned of the deteriorating living conditions in the besieged strip in reference to the high rates of unemployment and poverty, and the continued closure of border crossings and siege, in addition to the non-payment of salaries.
He pointed out that 37 projects provided by UNRWA estimated at 95 million dollars including schools and clinics are still waiting for the Israeli approval, saying that only the Saudi Project No. 3 was approved by Israeli authorities since March 2013.
The Saudi project includes the establishment of 865 housing units in Rafah for those whose houses were destroyed earlier, he added.
Turner renewed his demand for lifting the unfair siege on Gaza, considering it a part of Israeli collective punishment against Palestinian people. He also called on Egyptian authorities to re-open Rafah crossing for humanitarian reasons due to the deteriorating living conditions in the besieged strip.
He added that UNRWA budget deficit currently stands at $69 million, while Gaza emergency program suffers $ 22 million deficit.
Gaza's only power plant is still running today, after fuel was permitted entry into the Strip via Israel, just a day after the power authority warned that the plant would shut down. Additionally, 20 truckloads of pharmaceuticals and medical disposables are to soon arrive in the besieged coastal enclave.
Yesterday, an agreement was reached that would allow the importation of 250,000 liters of synthetic diesel to Gaza's power generation station, according to Fathi al-Sheikh Khalil, deputy head of the energy authority in Gaza.
The fuel aims to continue the supply of electricity for eight hours daily. Khalil added that this is enough for one day, explaining that there are other suggestions to reduce the taxes on diesel.
Qatar had agreed, in March, to continue to donate money to fuel Gaza's power plant for three months, according to Ma'an. The donated fuel was expected to run out on Tuesday.
Furthermore, Raed Fattouh, the person in charge of coordinating goods which enter Gaza, told Ma'an News Agency that more than 400 truckloads of goods were shipped in on Wednesday, including diesel fuel to run the power plant.
Gasoline and humanitarian aid was also shipped into the area, according to Fattouh. In addition, two truckloads of cement were shipped in to be used for UN-funded projects.
Jawad Awwad, Palestinian Minister of Health, says that his ministry has completed the necessary procedures to ship 20 truckloads of drugs and medical disposables to the region, accroding to Al Ray Palestinian Media Agency.
A severe shortages of medicine -- in addition to the fuel crisis -- has forced Gaza's main hospitals to suspend all non-emergency surgery cases previously queued.
Yesterday, the Ministry of Health distributed 1 million New Israeli Shekels (just under $300,000 US) to the hospitals in order to buy fuel supplies to power their electricity generators.
Gaza has been under a severe economic blockade imposed by Israel since 2006, leading to frequent humanitarian crises. Backed by Egypt, Israel tightened the blockade in 2007, following an election victory by Hamas.
The medicinal aid is expected to stock out in weeks.
Yesterday, an agreement was reached that would allow the importation of 250,000 liters of synthetic diesel to Gaza's power generation station, according to Fathi al-Sheikh Khalil, deputy head of the energy authority in Gaza.
The fuel aims to continue the supply of electricity for eight hours daily. Khalil added that this is enough for one day, explaining that there are other suggestions to reduce the taxes on diesel.
Qatar had agreed, in March, to continue to donate money to fuel Gaza's power plant for three months, according to Ma'an. The donated fuel was expected to run out on Tuesday.
Furthermore, Raed Fattouh, the person in charge of coordinating goods which enter Gaza, told Ma'an News Agency that more than 400 truckloads of goods were shipped in on Wednesday, including diesel fuel to run the power plant.
Gasoline and humanitarian aid was also shipped into the area, according to Fattouh. In addition, two truckloads of cement were shipped in to be used for UN-funded projects.
Jawad Awwad, Palestinian Minister of Health, says that his ministry has completed the necessary procedures to ship 20 truckloads of drugs and medical disposables to the region, accroding to Al Ray Palestinian Media Agency.
A severe shortages of medicine -- in addition to the fuel crisis -- has forced Gaza's main hospitals to suspend all non-emergency surgery cases previously queued.
Yesterday, the Ministry of Health distributed 1 million New Israeli Shekels (just under $300,000 US) to the hospitals in order to buy fuel supplies to power their electricity generators.
Gaza has been under a severe economic blockade imposed by Israel since 2006, leading to frequent humanitarian crises. Backed by Egypt, Israel tightened the blockade in 2007, following an election victory by Hamas.
The medicinal aid is expected to stock out in weeks.
25 june 2014
The Palestinian Authority Ministry of Health will ship 20 truckloads of medicine and medical equipment to Gaza this week, a minister said.
Jawad Awwad, minister of health, said all preparations to ship the cargo have been finalized to ease the "suffering of our people."
Spokesman for Gaza's health ministry Ashraf al-Qidra said the shipment comes as health conditions in Gaza continue to deteriorate as a result of shortages.
Several hospitals have had to cancel all non-emergency surgeries due to a lack of medical equipment.
The Gaza Strip has been under a severe economic blockade imposed by Israel since 2006, leading to frequent humanitarian crises.
Jawad Awwad, minister of health, said all preparations to ship the cargo have been finalized to ease the "suffering of our people."
Spokesman for Gaza's health ministry Ashraf al-Qidra said the shipment comes as health conditions in Gaza continue to deteriorate as a result of shortages.
Several hospitals have had to cancel all non-emergency surgeries due to a lack of medical equipment.
The Gaza Strip has been under a severe economic blockade imposed by Israel since 2006, leading to frequent humanitarian crises.
Gaza's sole power plant kept running Wednesday after diesel fuel was allowed to enter the Strip via Israel, a day after the power authority warned it would shut down, a Gaza official said.
Raed Fattouh, who is in charge of the coordination of goods entering Gaza, told Ma'an that more than 400 truckloads of goods were shipped in on Wednesday, including diesel fuel to run the power plant.
Gasoline and humanitarian aid was also shipped into the coastal enclave, Fattouh said.
He added that two truckloads of cement were shipped in to be used for UN-funded projects.
An agreement was reached Tuesday to import 250,000 liters of synthetic diesel for the Gaza power generation station, the deputy head of the energy authority in Gaza said.
Fathi al-Sheikh Khalil told Ma'an that the fuel aims to continue the supply of electricity for eight hours daily.
He added that this amount is enough for one day, explaining that there are other suggestions to reduce the taxes on diesel.
Khalil had earlier said that donated Qatari fuel would run out on Tuesday, and that the power generation would stop if an alternative was not found.
Qatar had in March agreed to continue to donate money to fuel Gaza's power plant for three months.
The Gulf state also donated $10 million to Gaza for fuel in the wake of the humanitarian crisis caused by severe weather in the region in December on top of difficulties caused by the Israeli blockade on the coastal enclave.
The Gaza Strip has been under a severe economic blockade imposed by Israel since 2006, leading to frequent humanitarian crises.
Raed Fattouh, who is in charge of the coordination of goods entering Gaza, told Ma'an that more than 400 truckloads of goods were shipped in on Wednesday, including diesel fuel to run the power plant.
Gasoline and humanitarian aid was also shipped into the coastal enclave, Fattouh said.
He added that two truckloads of cement were shipped in to be used for UN-funded projects.
An agreement was reached Tuesday to import 250,000 liters of synthetic diesel for the Gaza power generation station, the deputy head of the energy authority in Gaza said.
Fathi al-Sheikh Khalil told Ma'an that the fuel aims to continue the supply of electricity for eight hours daily.
He added that this amount is enough for one day, explaining that there are other suggestions to reduce the taxes on diesel.
Khalil had earlier said that donated Qatari fuel would run out on Tuesday, and that the power generation would stop if an alternative was not found.
Qatar had in March agreed to continue to donate money to fuel Gaza's power plant for three months.
The Gulf state also donated $10 million to Gaza for fuel in the wake of the humanitarian crisis caused by severe weather in the region in December on top of difficulties caused by the Israeli blockade on the coastal enclave.
The Gaza Strip has been under a severe economic blockade imposed by Israel since 2006, leading to frequent humanitarian crises.
Tuesday marks the eighth year of a rigid Israeli blockade against the Gaza Strip that led to a sharp economic decline, as well as high levels of poverty and unemployment, and many observers have been calling for an end of the "collective punishment." The blockade is the longest ever imposed on a territory in modern history, Robert Turner, operational director of the UN Relief and Work Agency for Palestinian refugees, told reporters in Gaza.
Israel has begun to impose a tight blockade on the coastal enclave, considering it a hostile entity after the Islamist Hamas movement violently seized control of the territory in June 2007.
"The Israeli blockade imposed on the Gaza Strip represents a collective punishment of the population," Turner said, and urged Israel to end the blockade so as to allow free movement of goods and people.
Under international pressure, Israel has recently eased the blockade allowing more products to flow in and out of Gaza, but it still has restricted the entrance of raw materials for constructions and personal movement.
HIGH POVERTY, JOBLESS RATES
Over the years, the economy in Gaza has been deteriorating. Even the new unity government, which was a result of an agreement reached between Fatah and Hamas, failed to give the slack economy a real boost.
The Gaza-based Popular Committee said on Tuesday in a press statement that years of Israeli blockade destroyed the economy in Gaza, adding that "despite the formation of the unity government, nothing has improved."
"Seventy percent of the Gaza's 1.8 million populations are living under the poverty line, and the daily income of the majority of Gaza people is below two U.S. dollars," said the statement, adding that "more than a million people live on foreign aid and unemployment rate climbed to 50 percent."
The committee slammed Israel for banning the entrance of construction materials into Gaza, saying many projects had completely stopped, causing a loss of some 500 million dollars.
Maher Taba'a, an official with the Gaza Chamber of Commerce, told Xinhua that despite the formation of the unity government, the siege is still imposed on the enclave, and the basic materials needed to help promote the stagnant economy are still banned by Israel.
He also noted things Israel allows in the enclave since it eased the blockade in 2010 are no more than such consuming materials as food, clothes, along with limited amount of fuel.
LACK OF BASIC NEEDS
Ashraf al-Qedra, Gaza's emergency service spokesman said in a press statement that the Ministry of Health in Gaza is suffering from the highest ever shortage of medicine and medical equipment since the Israeli siege began.
"There is a 30 percent shortage of basic medicine used for surgeries. More than 55 percent of medicine had been consumed and the rest will be running out soon," said al-Qedra.
Meanwhile, the Palestinian Energy and Natural Resources Authority announced that Gaza's only power plant will shut down on Tuesday to due to the lack of fuel.
Deputy chairman of the authority, Fathi Sheikh Khalil, told Xinhua that the power plant would stop working after a six-month Qatari fuel grant ran out last week.
"We've made extensive contact with concerned parties to solve the problem, but we have not reached a solution yet," he said.
The coastal strip needs around 380 megawatts of power to overcome the crisis yet Gaza's power plant only meets around one third of the energy needed. The remaining electricity supplies come directly from Israel and Egypt.
Israel has begun to impose a tight blockade on the coastal enclave, considering it a hostile entity after the Islamist Hamas movement violently seized control of the territory in June 2007.
"The Israeli blockade imposed on the Gaza Strip represents a collective punishment of the population," Turner said, and urged Israel to end the blockade so as to allow free movement of goods and people.
Under international pressure, Israel has recently eased the blockade allowing more products to flow in and out of Gaza, but it still has restricted the entrance of raw materials for constructions and personal movement.
HIGH POVERTY, JOBLESS RATES
Over the years, the economy in Gaza has been deteriorating. Even the new unity government, which was a result of an agreement reached between Fatah and Hamas, failed to give the slack economy a real boost.
The Gaza-based Popular Committee said on Tuesday in a press statement that years of Israeli blockade destroyed the economy in Gaza, adding that "despite the formation of the unity government, nothing has improved."
"Seventy percent of the Gaza's 1.8 million populations are living under the poverty line, and the daily income of the majority of Gaza people is below two U.S. dollars," said the statement, adding that "more than a million people live on foreign aid and unemployment rate climbed to 50 percent."
The committee slammed Israel for banning the entrance of construction materials into Gaza, saying many projects had completely stopped, causing a loss of some 500 million dollars.
Maher Taba'a, an official with the Gaza Chamber of Commerce, told Xinhua that despite the formation of the unity government, the siege is still imposed on the enclave, and the basic materials needed to help promote the stagnant economy are still banned by Israel.
He also noted things Israel allows in the enclave since it eased the blockade in 2010 are no more than such consuming materials as food, clothes, along with limited amount of fuel.
LACK OF BASIC NEEDS
Ashraf al-Qedra, Gaza's emergency service spokesman said in a press statement that the Ministry of Health in Gaza is suffering from the highest ever shortage of medicine and medical equipment since the Israeli siege began.
"There is a 30 percent shortage of basic medicine used for surgeries. More than 55 percent of medicine had been consumed and the rest will be running out soon," said al-Qedra.
Meanwhile, the Palestinian Energy and Natural Resources Authority announced that Gaza's only power plant will shut down on Tuesday to due to the lack of fuel.
Deputy chairman of the authority, Fathi Sheikh Khalil, told Xinhua that the power plant would stop working after a six-month Qatari fuel grant ran out last week.
"We've made extensive contact with concerned parties to solve the problem, but we have not reached a solution yet," he said.
The coastal strip needs around 380 megawatts of power to overcome the crisis yet Gaza's power plant only meets around one third of the energy needed. The remaining electricity supplies come directly from Israel and Egypt.
