20 mar 2014
Hassan Saad converts old batteries to LED lights, providing free, basic electricity for some 50 homes facing blackouts.
A resident of Gaza's al-Shajaiya neighborhood is collecting old batteries and using them to create enough energy to light-up homes in the area he lives in using Light Emitting Diode (LED) technology.
LED's can be described as small light bulbs in an electrical circuit and can be used to light up watches, or when used in a large quantity, traffic lights.
Gaza faces power shortages for many reasons - its power plant is intermittently operational. In addition, Egyptian security forces have closed tunnels that brought cheap fuel to Gaza since the ouster of former President Mohammed Morsi.
Forty-five year old Gazan Hassan Saad claims to have found a solution to light-up around 50 homes and the street where he lives with LED lights.
"This project supplies free light for this neighborhood. I provide the light for eight hours when the electricity is shut down," Saad said who also works as a lawyer, but has a technical background too.
Saad fills the used batteries with liquid acid, which he says makes them last longer. He said his system only provides electricity for basic use, but not enough to operate electronic machines.
"The goal of this project is to avoid the noisy sound of the generators and the pollution they produce as well as expensive fuel. LED lights work on used batteries and provide a stronger light source than candles," he said.
Residents in the neighborhood are happy, not only because they have light during times of darkness, but also because they're saving money.
"This is a cheap light source. We used to spend two shekels (US 0.5 dollar) per day on candles to light the house. Now residents in the neighborhood save around 60 shekels (US 20 dollars) per month," said Abu Mohamed Silmy.
Student Ali al-Ankar said the LED system is enabling him to do his homework in the evenings.
"I go home from school at dusk and there is typically no electricity, so he (Hassan Saad) turns on the LED lights for us so we can study, thank God," said the youngster.
On Saturday the Gaza Strip's sole power station stopped generating electricity, causing blackouts throughout the territory after it ran out of fuel, officials said.
The plant started up again on Monday after Israel allowed quantities of Qatari-paid fuel into the enclave to ease a power crisis, Palestinian officials said.
The power plant is one of the main sources of electricity for Gaza's 1.8 million people and without it, daily blackouts of around 12 hours are expected. Electricity is also received directly from Israel and Egypt.
Gaza lacks much basic civil infrastructure and lives under an Egyptian-Israeli blockade meant to cut off arms flows, which also curbs imports of fuel and building supplies.
A few months ago the plant was switched off for 43 days due to a fuel shortage that arose after neighboring Egypt closed off smuggling tunnels. Israel allowed in fuel paid for by Qatar when a storm swept the region.
But that fuel has run out, said Ahmed Abu al-Amrain, a spokesman Gaza's energy authority.
Source: JP
A resident of Gaza's al-Shajaiya neighborhood is collecting old batteries and using them to create enough energy to light-up homes in the area he lives in using Light Emitting Diode (LED) technology.
LED's can be described as small light bulbs in an electrical circuit and can be used to light up watches, or when used in a large quantity, traffic lights.
Gaza faces power shortages for many reasons - its power plant is intermittently operational. In addition, Egyptian security forces have closed tunnels that brought cheap fuel to Gaza since the ouster of former President Mohammed Morsi.
Forty-five year old Gazan Hassan Saad claims to have found a solution to light-up around 50 homes and the street where he lives with LED lights.
"This project supplies free light for this neighborhood. I provide the light for eight hours when the electricity is shut down," Saad said who also works as a lawyer, but has a technical background too.
Saad fills the used batteries with liquid acid, which he says makes them last longer. He said his system only provides electricity for basic use, but not enough to operate electronic machines.
"The goal of this project is to avoid the noisy sound of the generators and the pollution they produce as well as expensive fuel. LED lights work on used batteries and provide a stronger light source than candles," he said.
Residents in the neighborhood are happy, not only because they have light during times of darkness, but also because they're saving money.
"This is a cheap light source. We used to spend two shekels (US 0.5 dollar) per day on candles to light the house. Now residents in the neighborhood save around 60 shekels (US 20 dollars) per month," said Abu Mohamed Silmy.
Student Ali al-Ankar said the LED system is enabling him to do his homework in the evenings.
"I go home from school at dusk and there is typically no electricity, so he (Hassan Saad) turns on the LED lights for us so we can study, thank God," said the youngster.
On Saturday the Gaza Strip's sole power station stopped generating electricity, causing blackouts throughout the territory after it ran out of fuel, officials said.
The plant started up again on Monday after Israel allowed quantities of Qatari-paid fuel into the enclave to ease a power crisis, Palestinian officials said.
The power plant is one of the main sources of electricity for Gaza's 1.8 million people and without it, daily blackouts of around 12 hours are expected. Electricity is also received directly from Israel and Egypt.
Gaza lacks much basic civil infrastructure and lives under an Egyptian-Israeli blockade meant to cut off arms flows, which also curbs imports of fuel and building supplies.
A few months ago the plant was switched off for 43 days due to a fuel shortage that arose after neighboring Egypt closed off smuggling tunnels. Israel allowed in fuel paid for by Qatar when a storm swept the region.
But that fuel has run out, said Ahmed Abu al-Amrain, a spokesman Gaza's energy authority.
Source: JP
Dozens of Palestinian women have staged Wednesday a sit-in outside Egyptian embassy in Gaza calling for the opening of Rafah crossing and ending Gaza siege. The participants considered the Egyptian decision to close Rafah crossing and to prevent construction materials and medicines' access to the Strip as a participation in tightening the unfair Israeli siege.
The participants called on Egyptian authorities to open Rafah border crossing that is still closed for 40 consecutive days, saying that history will not have mercy on those who are involved in Gaza siege.
The protesters called on the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the Arab League and international community to intervene immediately to break the siege before it is too late in light of the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza.
The participants held banners and chanted slogans condemning the continued closure of Rafah crossing and calling for its opening.
The sit-in was organized by Women's Union in Hamas movement.
The Egyptian authorities have continued to close the Rafah crossing for forty days in a row, preventing patients and students' urgent travel.
Meanwhile, Egyptian students have demonstrated in Cairo University on Thursday protesting Israeli continued violations against Palestinian people.
In a statement published in the Seventh Day Egyptian newspaper, the students confirmed that the demonstration came in response to Israeli escalated violations and Judaization policy in occupied Jerusalem and the continued unfair siege on Gaza Strip.
The participants called on Egyptian authorities to open Rafah border crossing that is still closed for 40 consecutive days, saying that history will not have mercy on those who are involved in Gaza siege.
The protesters called on the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the Arab League and international community to intervene immediately to break the siege before it is too late in light of the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza.
The participants held banners and chanted slogans condemning the continued closure of Rafah crossing and calling for its opening.
The sit-in was organized by Women's Union in Hamas movement.
The Egyptian authorities have continued to close the Rafah crossing for forty days in a row, preventing patients and students' urgent travel.
Meanwhile, Egyptian students have demonstrated in Cairo University on Thursday protesting Israeli continued violations against Palestinian people.
In a statement published in the Seventh Day Egyptian newspaper, the students confirmed that the demonstration came in response to Israeli escalated violations and Judaization policy in occupied Jerusalem and the continued unfair siege on Gaza Strip.
19 mar 2014
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Students along with Committee to Break the Siege on Gaza participaitng in the thank-you stand (ALRAY Photo: March 19, 2014)
National Committee to Break the Siege on Gaza staged on Wednesday a thank-you stand in recognition of Qatar’s bold support of the Palestinian cause. Ministers and lawmakers participated in the stand. Ahmed Bahar, Deputy Speaker for Palestinian Parliament, appreciated the positions of Qatar towards the suffering of Palestinians in light of the silence of many Arab states. |
Minister of Housing and Public Works praised the Qatari efforts made in support of Gaza, “Gaza is witnessing a flow of construction work and a battle of challenge thanks to the effective Qatari projects,”
The minister said Qatar has donated $407 million during the few last months to implement construction, housing, and agricultural projects, in addition to subsidizing Gaza electricity.
On March 11, Qatari Emir Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani reaffirmed in a phone call with Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh his country's support for Palestinians in Gaza.
The Emir said that his country's support for Gaza is a "principle which is not changeable", and that the Palestinian cause is "central" to his country and reassured him that Qatar would remain a supporter of Gaza.
Qatar is a stanch supporter of the Palestinians. Following Israel's 2012 offensive last year, former Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani made a historic visit to Gaza, pledging over $400 million for reconstruction projects.
Qatar has remitted funds worth $32 million during the past four months as a tax on the diesel fuel bought from Israel.
The minister said Qatar has donated $407 million during the few last months to implement construction, housing, and agricultural projects, in addition to subsidizing Gaza electricity.
On March 11, Qatari Emir Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani reaffirmed in a phone call with Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh his country's support for Palestinians in Gaza.
The Emir said that his country's support for Gaza is a "principle which is not changeable", and that the Palestinian cause is "central" to his country and reassured him that Qatar would remain a supporter of Gaza.
Qatar is a stanch supporter of the Palestinians. Following Israel's 2012 offensive last year, former Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani made a historic visit to Gaza, pledging over $400 million for reconstruction projects.
Qatar has remitted funds worth $32 million during the past four months as a tax on the diesel fuel bought from Israel.
18 mar 2014
Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum described Egyptian authorities' decision to close Rafah crossing and to tighten Gaza siege, preventing fuel, medicine and aid supplies' access without any justification and depriving thousands of patients of treatment as a crime against humanity. Barhoum warned that the continued closure of Rafah crossing coupled with the Israeli siege and aggression would affect all life aspects in the besieged Strip.
Hamas senior official held Israeli and Egyptian authorities responsible for Gazans' suffering, calling for staging popular sit-ins outside embassies of all parties taking part in tightening Gaza siege.
He also called for more convoys to break the siege on Gaza via all crossings to put an end to Palestinians' suffering in Gaza.
Three patients, including a three-month-old baby, died after being prevented from traveling abroad for treatment due to the continued closure of Rafah crossing for eight months; in addition 450 patients have been deprived of traveling for treatment in Egyptian hospitals, which led to their health deterioration.
Hamas senior official held Israeli and Egyptian authorities responsible for Gazans' suffering, calling for staging popular sit-ins outside embassies of all parties taking part in tightening Gaza siege.
He also called for more convoys to break the siege on Gaza via all crossings to put an end to Palestinians' suffering in Gaza.
Three patients, including a three-month-old baby, died after being prevented from traveling abroad for treatment due to the continued closure of Rafah crossing for eight months; in addition 450 patients have been deprived of traveling for treatment in Egyptian hospitals, which led to their health deterioration.
Israeli forces briefly closed a military checkpoint east of Tulkarem on Tuesday due to a military training exercise in the area, Palestinian security officials said.
Palestinians were forbidden from crossing the Enav checkpoint in both directions while dozens of Israeli soldiers and vehicles carried out a short military drill.
Palestinian security officials added that the Israeli military liaison department notified its Palestinian counterpart about the drill, without giving any further details.
An Israeli army spokeswoman did not immediately return calls seeking comment.
Palestinians were forbidden from crossing the Enav checkpoint in both directions while dozens of Israeli soldiers and vehicles carried out a short military drill.
Palestinian security officials added that the Israeli military liaison department notified its Palestinian counterpart about the drill, without giving any further details.
An Israeli army spokeswoman did not immediately return calls seeking comment.
Israel will reopen the Kerem Shalom crossing with the Gaza Strip on Wednesday after keeping it closed for six consecutive days, a Palestinian official said.
Nazmi Muhanna, the Palestinian Authority director of border crossings, told Ma'an Tuesday that Israeli officials had informed the Palestinian side that the Kerem Shalom crossing would resume operations Wednesday.
The crossing was open Sunday and Monday, but only for fuel deliveries.
Israel shut down the crossing last Wednesday in the wake of a flare-up of violence that began when an Israeli airstrike killed three Palestinian militants in southern Gaza the day before.
Militant groups in Gaza then fired barrages of rockets at Israeli towns, causing minor damages but no injuries. Israel hit back with airstrikes.
With the Rafah crossing with Egypt regularly closed, Gaza has become dependent on goods brought from Israel via Kerem Shalom.
Rafah has been closed for 39 consecutive days, except in exceptional cases for limited purposes such as facilitating the passage of Umrah pilgrims.
The Rafah crossing had been the principal connection between Gaza's 1.7 million residents and the outside world since the imposition of a crippling economic blockade by the State of Israel beginning in 2007.
Egypt has frequently closed the terminal since its army ousted president Mohamed Morsi in July. Hundreds of tunnels that Gazans used for years to import fuel, building materials, and other goods were also destroyed.
Nazmi Muhanna, the Palestinian Authority director of border crossings, told Ma'an Tuesday that Israeli officials had informed the Palestinian side that the Kerem Shalom crossing would resume operations Wednesday.
The crossing was open Sunday and Monday, but only for fuel deliveries.
Israel shut down the crossing last Wednesday in the wake of a flare-up of violence that began when an Israeli airstrike killed three Palestinian militants in southern Gaza the day before.
Militant groups in Gaza then fired barrages of rockets at Israeli towns, causing minor damages but no injuries. Israel hit back with airstrikes.
With the Rafah crossing with Egypt regularly closed, Gaza has become dependent on goods brought from Israel via Kerem Shalom.
Rafah has been closed for 39 consecutive days, except in exceptional cases for limited purposes such as facilitating the passage of Umrah pilgrims.
The Rafah crossing had been the principal connection between Gaza's 1.7 million residents and the outside world since the imposition of a crippling economic blockade by the State of Israel beginning in 2007.
Egypt has frequently closed the terminal since its army ousted president Mohamed Morsi in July. Hundreds of tunnels that Gazans used for years to import fuel, building materials, and other goods were also destroyed.
Scores of Palestinian university students on Monday staged a demonstration outside the Egyptian embassy's former headquarters in Gaza to protest the ongoing closure by Egyptian authorities of the Rafah border crossing, which links the Gaza Strip to Egypt's Sinai Peninsula. Protesters called for lifting Israel's years-long blockade on Gaza and for reopening the flashpoint crossing to Gazan university students who study abroad.
"We can't find an explanation for Egypt's decision to tighten the noose around Gaza," said Abdel-Rahman Mehana, head of the students union at Gaza's Islamic University, who attended Monday's protest.
"How can students who want to complete their studies pose a threat to Egypt's national security?" he asked.
Other demonstrators carried banners calling to lift the siege on Gaza, which has remained in place since 2006.
Egypt has tightened its grip on the border with Gaza since last July's ouster of Mohamed Morsi – the country's first freely elected president – by the army.
Egyptian authorities accuse Hamas, which has governed Gaza since 2007, of interfering in Egypt's domestic affairs and carrying out terrorist activities in Egypt.
Hamas spokesmen emphatically deny the allegations.
Source: AA
"We can't find an explanation for Egypt's decision to tighten the noose around Gaza," said Abdel-Rahman Mehana, head of the students union at Gaza's Islamic University, who attended Monday's protest.
"How can students who want to complete their studies pose a threat to Egypt's national security?" he asked.
Other demonstrators carried banners calling to lift the siege on Gaza, which has remained in place since 2006.
Egypt has tightened its grip on the border with Gaza since last July's ouster of Mohamed Morsi – the country's first freely elected president – by the army.
Egyptian authorities accuse Hamas, which has governed Gaza since 2007, of interfering in Egypt's domestic affairs and carrying out terrorist activities in Egypt.
Hamas spokesmen emphatically deny the allegations.
Source: AA
The Egyptian authorities have maintained closure of the Rafah border crossing with Gaza Strip for the 39th day running in total disregard of humanitarian cases. Maher Abu Sabha, the director of crossings and borders, said in a press statement on Monday that the Egyptian side did not inform his department of its intention to open the crossing in the near future.
He said that the Egyptian authorities were closign the crossing without giving any reason for the procedure, adding that the long period of closure had negatively affected people wishing to travel outside the Strip or return to it.
The Egyptian authorities maintained the closure of the Rafah border terminal since the ouster of president Mohammed Morsi on 3rd July last year and only opened it only for few days for the sick people, students, and holders of foreign passports.
He said that the Egyptian authorities were closign the crossing without giving any reason for the procedure, adding that the long period of closure had negatively affected people wishing to travel outside the Strip or return to it.
The Egyptian authorities maintained the closure of the Rafah border terminal since the ouster of president Mohammed Morsi on 3rd July last year and only opened it only for few days for the sick people, students, and holders of foreign passports.
17 mar 2014
Spokesperson of Hamas, Fawzi Barhoum
Islamic Resistance Movement of Hamas condemned the ongoing closure of Rafah crossing for the 36th day in a row, compared to the facilities offered to the Israelis to travel via Taba crossing. Spokesperson of Hamas, Fawzi Barhoum, said Sunday on his Facebook page that “the Egyptian side tightens the closure of Rafah crossing, the only crossing into Gaza, for the 36th day in a row and turns Gaza into a big open air prison.”
Barhoum added in a message to the Egyptian side “ you open Taba crossing widely for the Israelis and Israeli officers amid unprecedented facilities to enter Egypt with grace and dignity."
Islamic Resistance Movement of Hamas condemned the ongoing closure of Rafah crossing for the 36th day in a row, compared to the facilities offered to the Israelis to travel via Taba crossing. Spokesperson of Hamas, Fawzi Barhoum, said Sunday on his Facebook page that “the Egyptian side tightens the closure of Rafah crossing, the only crossing into Gaza, for the 36th day in a row and turns Gaza into a big open air prison.”
Barhoum added in a message to the Egyptian side “ you open Taba crossing widely for the Israelis and Israeli officers amid unprecedented facilities to enter Egypt with grace and dignity."
A Palestinian woman said she was "humiliated and assaulted by an Israeli soldier" while on her way to visit her son in prison, a statement said Monday.
The mother of prisoner Ahmad Abd al-Fattah said she was stopped at the Taybeh checkpoint near Ramallah and taken to a small room for a strip search, according to a statement from the Palestinian Prisoners' Society.
"A female soldier ordered her to take off her clothes completely, but she refused," the statement said.
"The soldier insisted, and after the woman took off her clothes, the soldier hit her with the metal detector causing bruises."
Afterwards, the woman complained to a representative of the International Committee of the Red Cross, who informed an Israeli border crossing official.
As of February 2014 there were 99 fixed checkpoints in the West Bank, and 59 of them were "internal checkpoints," deep within the West Bank, according to the Israeli rights group B'Tselem.
"According to many testimonies given to B'Tselem and other human rights organizations, the security forces use violence, at times gross violence, against Palestinians unnecessarily and without justification," a B'Tselem report said in late 2012.
The mother of prisoner Ahmad Abd al-Fattah said she was stopped at the Taybeh checkpoint near Ramallah and taken to a small room for a strip search, according to a statement from the Palestinian Prisoners' Society.
"A female soldier ordered her to take off her clothes completely, but she refused," the statement said.
"The soldier insisted, and after the woman took off her clothes, the soldier hit her with the metal detector causing bruises."
Afterwards, the woman complained to a representative of the International Committee of the Red Cross, who informed an Israeli border crossing official.
As of February 2014 there were 99 fixed checkpoints in the West Bank, and 59 of them were "internal checkpoints," deep within the West Bank, according to the Israeli rights group B'Tselem.
"According to many testimonies given to B'Tselem and other human rights organizations, the security forces use violence, at times gross violence, against Palestinians unnecessarily and without justification," a B'Tselem report said in late 2012.
Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza warned that the continued closure of Rafah crossing would increase the number of those dying because of lack of proper treatment in the besieged Strip. It clarified that the number of patients who are in need to receive medical care abroad due to the acute lack of medical supplies in the besieged Strip was on the rise.
The Palestinian Minister of Health in Gaza, Dr. Mufid Al-Mukhalalati, confirmed the death of three patients, including a three-month-old child, who were prevented from traveling abroad for treatment due to the continued closure of Rafah crossing for eight months.
Since the closure of Rafah crossing, 450 patients have been deprived of traveling for treatment in Egyptian hospitals, which led to their health deterioration, he said.
He expressed deep concern over the deterioration of health ministry condition and the acute shortage of medical supplies in addition to the ban on medical delegations' access due to the Israeli siege imposed on the Strip in 2007.
The minister said that the continued closure of Rafah crossing led to an acute shortage in medical supplies of up to 145 types which constitute 30 per cent of the basic medicines. 80% of Health ministry construction projects were halted as a result of the tightened Israeli siege, he added.
Meanwhile, the National Committee to Break the Siege has called on Egyptian authorities to open the Rafah crossing before patients seeking medical care abroad, foreign residents or residents of Gaza with foreign visas including students.
During a vigil outside Egyptian embassy on Sunday, The committee member Adham Abu Salamiya said that the continued closure of the crossing has increased the suffering of about two million Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, who are isolated from the outside world.
“We demand the opening of Rafah crossing before the difficult humanitarian cases who have been trapped for more than eight consecutive years”, he said, noting that thousands of students are deprived from completing their education abroad.
Egypt's army has repeatedly closed the Rafah border crossing since last July while simultaneously destroying hundreds of tunnels that Gazans used for years to import fuel, building materials, and basic human needs.
The Rafah crossing into Egypt has been the sole link between the Gaza Strip's 1.7 million residents and the outside world since the Israeli siege in 2007.
The Palestinian Minister of Health in Gaza, Dr. Mufid Al-Mukhalalati, confirmed the death of three patients, including a three-month-old child, who were prevented from traveling abroad for treatment due to the continued closure of Rafah crossing for eight months.
Since the closure of Rafah crossing, 450 patients have been deprived of traveling for treatment in Egyptian hospitals, which led to their health deterioration, he said.
He expressed deep concern over the deterioration of health ministry condition and the acute shortage of medical supplies in addition to the ban on medical delegations' access due to the Israeli siege imposed on the Strip in 2007.
The minister said that the continued closure of Rafah crossing led to an acute shortage in medical supplies of up to 145 types which constitute 30 per cent of the basic medicines. 80% of Health ministry construction projects were halted as a result of the tightened Israeli siege, he added.
Meanwhile, the National Committee to Break the Siege has called on Egyptian authorities to open the Rafah crossing before patients seeking medical care abroad, foreign residents or residents of Gaza with foreign visas including students.
During a vigil outside Egyptian embassy on Sunday, The committee member Adham Abu Salamiya said that the continued closure of the crossing has increased the suffering of about two million Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, who are isolated from the outside world.
“We demand the opening of Rafah crossing before the difficult humanitarian cases who have been trapped for more than eight consecutive years”, he said, noting that thousands of students are deprived from completing their education abroad.
Egypt's army has repeatedly closed the Rafah border crossing since last July while simultaneously destroying hundreds of tunnels that Gazans used for years to import fuel, building materials, and basic human needs.
The Rafah crossing into Egypt has been the sole link between the Gaza Strip's 1.7 million residents and the outside world since the Israeli siege in 2007.
Gaza's sole power station resumed generating electricity on Monday after Israel allowed fuel deliveries into the besieged coastal enclave.
Jamal Dardasawi, a public information officer for the power plant, told Ma'an that the company would resume the former distribution system to households of eight hours with electricity and eight hours without.
A spokesman for COGAT, the Israeli defense ministry unit responsible for crossings into Gaza, confirmed that 100,000 liters of fuel were delivered on Sunday via the Kerem Shalom crossing for the power station.
Around 500,000 liters of fuel was expected on Sunday but delays to the delivery meant the power plant could not resume full operations.
A Palestinian official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said: "Problems in transferring funds between the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah and the Hamas government in Gaza are to blame" for the delay.
The power plant, which supplies some 30 percent of Gaza's electricity needs, fell silent for 50 days in the latter part of 2013 because of lack of fuel but resumed operations in late December.
Israel routinely closes the crossing in response to rocket fire or other violence in and around Gaza.
The fuel is bought from Israel by the West Bank-based Palestinian Authority which also facilitates the delivery because Hamas does not recognize Israel and do not have any direct dealings with its officials.
Jamal Dardasawi, a public information officer for the power plant, told Ma'an that the company would resume the former distribution system to households of eight hours with electricity and eight hours without.
A spokesman for COGAT, the Israeli defense ministry unit responsible for crossings into Gaza, confirmed that 100,000 liters of fuel were delivered on Sunday via the Kerem Shalom crossing for the power station.
Around 500,000 liters of fuel was expected on Sunday but delays to the delivery meant the power plant could not resume full operations.
A Palestinian official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said: "Problems in transferring funds between the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah and the Hamas government in Gaza are to blame" for the delay.
The power plant, which supplies some 30 percent of Gaza's electricity needs, fell silent for 50 days in the latter part of 2013 because of lack of fuel but resumed operations in late December.
Israel routinely closes the crossing in response to rocket fire or other violence in and around Gaza.
The fuel is bought from Israel by the West Bank-based Palestinian Authority which also facilitates the delivery because Hamas does not recognize Israel and do not have any direct dealings with its officials.
Families from Gaza were unable to visit their relatives in Israeli jails on Monday after Israeli authorities closed the Erez, or Beit Hanoun, crossing for the Jewish holiday of Purim.
"Families from the Gaza Strip have not left to visit their sons in Israeli jails as the Erez crossing between Israel and the Gaza Strip was closed due to Purim celebrations," a spokesman for the International Committee of the Red Cross, Nasser al-Najjar, told Ma'an.
Gaza families visit jailed relatives in Israel every Monday via the Erez crossing on buses run by the ICRC.
Israel closed both the Erez and Kerem Shalom crossings with Gaza following several days of recent cross border violence.
"Families from the Gaza Strip have not left to visit their sons in Israeli jails as the Erez crossing between Israel and the Gaza Strip was closed due to Purim celebrations," a spokesman for the International Committee of the Red Cross, Nasser al-Najjar, told Ma'an.
Gaza families visit jailed relatives in Israel every Monday via the Erez crossing on buses run by the ICRC.
Israel closed both the Erez and Kerem Shalom crossings with Gaza following several days of recent cross border violence.
16 mar 2014
Minister of Health in Gaza Mofeid Almakhallalaty
Minister of Health in Gaza Mofeid Almakhallalaty said on Sunday in a press conference, “only 30% of the total amount of the ministry’s medical storage remains in the stores due to the continued closure of the Rafah crossing .”
Almakhallalaty said In a press conference in the Ministry of Information headquarters in Gaza city, “80% of MOH construction projects are halted as a result of the tightened Israeli siege, the lack of building materials and other necessary related constuction materials.
Minister of Health in Gaza Mofeid Almakhallalaty said on Sunday in a press conference, “only 30% of the total amount of the ministry’s medical storage remains in the stores due to the continued closure of the Rafah crossing .”
Almakhallalaty said In a press conference in the Ministry of Information headquarters in Gaza city, “80% of MOH construction projects are halted as a result of the tightened Israeli siege, the lack of building materials and other necessary related constuction materials.
Scores of patients and disabled Palestinians on Saturday staged a protest outside the Egyptian embassy in the Gaza Strip to call for the reopening of the Rafah border crossing between the Palestinian territory and Egypt. "The closure deprives me of my medicines," reads a placard held by some demonstrators during the rally, which was organized by the National Committee to Break the Siege.
Mohamed al-Kahlout, a spokesman for the demonstrators, described as "choking" the blockade on the Gaza Strip and the closure of the Rafah crossing.
"The closure of the crossing is creating a human tragedy in Gaza," al-Kahlout told Anadolu Agency.
"We just want to lead a dignified life like all other human beings," he added.
The Gaza Strip has been suffering an Israel-imposed blockade since 2006. Palestinians say the blockade has deprived the Palestinian enclave's 1.8 million residents of their most essential needs.
An all-out Egyptian crackdown on smuggling tunnels between Egypt and Gaza has also come to add insult to the injury of the Palestinians.
The new Egyptian measures, which followed the ouster by the military of elected president Mohamed Morsi last July, also includes extended closures of the Rafah crossing.
Source: AA
Gaza wounded persons protest closure of Rafah crossing
Mohamed al-Kahlout, a spokesman for the demonstrators, described as "choking" the blockade on the Gaza Strip and the closure of the Rafah crossing.
"The closure of the crossing is creating a human tragedy in Gaza," al-Kahlout told Anadolu Agency.
"We just want to lead a dignified life like all other human beings," he added.
The Gaza Strip has been suffering an Israel-imposed blockade since 2006. Palestinians say the blockade has deprived the Palestinian enclave's 1.8 million residents of their most essential needs.
An all-out Egyptian crackdown on smuggling tunnels between Egypt and Gaza has also come to add insult to the injury of the Palestinians.
The new Egyptian measures, which followed the ouster by the military of elected president Mohamed Morsi last July, also includes extended closures of the Rafah crossing.
Source: AA
Gaza wounded persons protest closure of Rafah crossing
Wounded persons in Gaza Strip have staged a protest rally in front of the Egyptian embassy building in Gaza city on Saturday demanding an end to the closure of Rafah border crossing. A spokesman for the wounded told a press conference organized in front of the embassy that more than 1,500 wounded and sick Palestinians have been waiting for the crossing to open for the past 35 days.
He said that the current regime in Egypt could not reflect the opinion of the Egyptian people or the honorable history of their country, adding that Cairo was always a big supporter of the Palestine cause.
The spokesman appealed to the Egyptian authorities to open the Rafah crossing and to allow them to travel for treatment, adding that the wounded and sick people would never forgive those who contributed in besieging Gaza.
He said that the current regime in Egypt could not reflect the opinion of the Egyptian people or the honorable history of their country, adding that Cairo was always a big supporter of the Palestine cause.
The spokesman appealed to the Egyptian authorities to open the Rafah crossing and to allow them to travel for treatment, adding that the wounded and sick people would never forgive those who contributed in besieging Gaza.
The only power plant in the siege enclave
Israeli occupation authorities are supposed Sunday morning to let Limited amounts of fuel to enter Gaza in order to run the only power plant in the siege enclave.
Head of the Coordination Committee for entry of goods in the Gaza Strip, Raed Fattouh, said that limited amounts of industrial diesel, petrol, diesel and cooking gas will enter Gaza via Karem Abu Salem crossing.
For his part, deputy director of the energy authority, Fathi Sheikh Khalil, said the entry of fuel to the power plant today will directly return the 8-hour program of electricity distribution.
The power plant has been shut down since Saturday due to a lack of fuel caused by (Israel's) closureof Karem Abu Salem crossing last Wednesday.
The Gaza Strip has been under a severe economic blockade imposed by the Israeli occupation since 2006. The blockade has severely limited the imports and exports of the Gaza Strip and has led to frequent humanitarian crises and hardship for Gazans.
Fuel enters Gaza as Kerem Shalom crossing re-opened
Deliveries of fuel to the Gaza Strip resumed on Sunday morning as Israeli authorities allowed the Kerem Shalom (Kerem Abu Salem) crossing to re-open, Palestinian crossing officials said.
The decision comes only a day after the besieged coastal enclave's sole power plant was forced to shut down after Israel closed the border crossing, cutting off its supplies of fuel and further restricting the Gaza Strip's already limited power supply.
General director of the border crossing Nazmi Muhanna told Ma'an that Israeli authorities had informed him on Saturday evening that they had decided to resume shipments of fuel to the power plant on Sunday morning.
Israeli officials at the southern Gaza Strip crossing refused to allow any other commodities to enter, he added.
The Gaza power plant, which was already severely low on fuel, announced on Saturday that it would cut the electricity supply to the Strip's 1.7 million residents from twelve hours a day to six until fuel run out.
Israeli authorities closed the Kerem Shalom crossing on Thursday due to the outbreak of fighting between militant groups and Israeli forces, which involved rocket fire into Israel as well as air strikes on Gaza before a ceasefire was re-activated.
Lack of diesel fuel is a result of the tightening of a 7-year-long blockade imposed on the territory by Israel with Egyptian support.
Until July of this year, tunnels connecting Gaza to Egypt provided a vital lifeline for the territory amidst the otherwise crippling Israeli blockade. The blockade has been in place since 2006, and it has limited imports and exports and led to a major economic decline and wide-reaching humanitarian crisis.
In the last year, however, the situation had greatly improved, as the tunnels to Egypt witnessed a brisk trade following the Egyptian Revolution. Since the coup against Egyptian president Morsi in July, however, Egypt has strictly enforced the blockade and targeted the tunnels.
Gaza Strip energy officials blame Egypt for destroying these tunnels while maintaining the larger economic blockade, along with Israel.
Israeli occupation authorities are supposed Sunday morning to let Limited amounts of fuel to enter Gaza in order to run the only power plant in the siege enclave.
Head of the Coordination Committee for entry of goods in the Gaza Strip, Raed Fattouh, said that limited amounts of industrial diesel, petrol, diesel and cooking gas will enter Gaza via Karem Abu Salem crossing.
For his part, deputy director of the energy authority, Fathi Sheikh Khalil, said the entry of fuel to the power plant today will directly return the 8-hour program of electricity distribution.
The power plant has been shut down since Saturday due to a lack of fuel caused by (Israel's) closureof Karem Abu Salem crossing last Wednesday.
The Gaza Strip has been under a severe economic blockade imposed by the Israeli occupation since 2006. The blockade has severely limited the imports and exports of the Gaza Strip and has led to frequent humanitarian crises and hardship for Gazans.
Fuel enters Gaza as Kerem Shalom crossing re-opened
Deliveries of fuel to the Gaza Strip resumed on Sunday morning as Israeli authorities allowed the Kerem Shalom (Kerem Abu Salem) crossing to re-open, Palestinian crossing officials said.
The decision comes only a day after the besieged coastal enclave's sole power plant was forced to shut down after Israel closed the border crossing, cutting off its supplies of fuel and further restricting the Gaza Strip's already limited power supply.
General director of the border crossing Nazmi Muhanna told Ma'an that Israeli authorities had informed him on Saturday evening that they had decided to resume shipments of fuel to the power plant on Sunday morning.
Israeli officials at the southern Gaza Strip crossing refused to allow any other commodities to enter, he added.
The Gaza power plant, which was already severely low on fuel, announced on Saturday that it would cut the electricity supply to the Strip's 1.7 million residents from twelve hours a day to six until fuel run out.
Israeli authorities closed the Kerem Shalom crossing on Thursday due to the outbreak of fighting between militant groups and Israeli forces, which involved rocket fire into Israel as well as air strikes on Gaza before a ceasefire was re-activated.
Lack of diesel fuel is a result of the tightening of a 7-year-long blockade imposed on the territory by Israel with Egyptian support.
Until July of this year, tunnels connecting Gaza to Egypt provided a vital lifeline for the territory amidst the otherwise crippling Israeli blockade. The blockade has been in place since 2006, and it has limited imports and exports and led to a major economic decline and wide-reaching humanitarian crisis.
In the last year, however, the situation had greatly improved, as the tunnels to Egypt witnessed a brisk trade following the Egyptian Revolution. Since the coup against Egyptian president Morsi in July, however, Egypt has strictly enforced the blockade and targeted the tunnels.
Gaza Strip energy officials blame Egypt for destroying these tunnels while maintaining the larger economic blockade, along with Israel.
15 mar 2014
Deputy Foreign Minister in Gaza Dr. Ghazi Hamad said the Egyptian authorities have not responded to the Palestinian calls for opening the Rafah border crossing since its last closure. Hamad condemned in a press statement on Saturday the decision to close the Rafah crossing, and said: "Apart from the political positions and the difference in visions, the closure of the crossing before the patients who are suffering every day cannot be justified."
He pointed out that his government has sent letters to several bodies including the United Nations, the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation and the Arab League, urging them to take action to open the Rafah crossing.
The Egyptian authorities have continued to close the crossing for the 36th day before the patients, students and other humanitarian cases.
Since the ouster of president Mohamed Morsi on July 3 last year, the Egyptian authorities have continued to close the Rafah crossing, which was opened only for few exceptional days before a limited number of humanitarian cases.
He pointed out that his government has sent letters to several bodies including the United Nations, the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation and the Arab League, urging them to take action to open the Rafah crossing.
The Egyptian authorities have continued to close the crossing for the 36th day before the patients, students and other humanitarian cases.
Since the ouster of president Mohamed Morsi on July 3 last year, the Egyptian authorities have continued to close the Rafah crossing, which was opened only for few exceptional days before a limited number of humanitarian cases.
The Gaza Strip's only power plant shut down Saturday due to a lack of fuel from Israel, which closed a goods crossing after militant rocket attacks, the energy authority said.
"The plant has completely ceased to function due to a lack of fuel caused by (Israel's) closure of the Kerem Shalom crossing," said Fathi al-Sheikh Khalil, deputy director of the energy authority in the Palestinian territory ruled by the Islamist movement Hamas.
On Thursday, Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon ordered the closure of the Kerem Shalom crossing between Israel and Gaza and the Erez pedestrian crossing "until further security assessments."
In response, Khalil said, the energy authority cut the plant's operation from only 12 hours a day to six until the fuel ran out.
Khalil told Ma'an Sunday -- before the recent flare-up between Gaza militants and the Israeli army -- that the plant would be shutting down within "four or five days" because fuel donated by Qatar had run out.
But on Wednesday, Qatar agreed to continue funding fuel for three more months, Gaza's energy authority said, according to Reuters.
The power plant, which supplies some 30 percent of Gaza's electricity needs, has been forced to shut down several times, most recently in December.
Qatar donated $10 million to Hamas authorities in Gaza for fuel in the wake of the humanitarian crisis caused by severe weather in the region in December.
Even before winter storm Alexa, Gaza had experienced extreme fuel shortages that cut off access to basic necessities for Gaza residents since early November.
The Gaza Strip has been under a severe economic blockade imposed by Israel since 2006. Although enforcement from the Egyptian side eased following the 2011 revolution, since the July ouster of democratically-elected president Mohamed Morsi military authorities have tightened control.
The blockade has severely limited the imports and exports of the Gaza Strip and has led to frequent humanitarian crises and hardship for Gazans.
Energy authority: As of today afternoon, power outages for long hours in Gaza
Deputy head of the energy authority in Gaza Fathi Khalil said that the power station would stop providing Gaza areas with electricity on a steady basis as of 12 o'clock Saturday afternoon after its fuel reserves almost ran out. In press remarks, Khalil stated that his authority would have to cut electricity to Gaza areas for 12 hours every day until the Qatari-funded fuel arrives in Gaza through the Israeli-controlled crossing Karam Abu Salem.
Qatar channeled 10 million dollars to the Palestinian Authority (PA) in order to buy fuel supplies sufficient to operate the Gaza power station for about three months.
There is a possibility that the PA may fail to buy the fuel for Gaza and will use the Qatari grant to pay some of its debts, which exceeded 350 million shekels, to the Israeli petroleum company.
"The plant has completely ceased to function due to a lack of fuel caused by (Israel's) closure of the Kerem Shalom crossing," said Fathi al-Sheikh Khalil, deputy director of the energy authority in the Palestinian territory ruled by the Islamist movement Hamas.
On Thursday, Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon ordered the closure of the Kerem Shalom crossing between Israel and Gaza and the Erez pedestrian crossing "until further security assessments."
In response, Khalil said, the energy authority cut the plant's operation from only 12 hours a day to six until the fuel ran out.
Khalil told Ma'an Sunday -- before the recent flare-up between Gaza militants and the Israeli army -- that the plant would be shutting down within "four or five days" because fuel donated by Qatar had run out.
But on Wednesday, Qatar agreed to continue funding fuel for three more months, Gaza's energy authority said, according to Reuters.
The power plant, which supplies some 30 percent of Gaza's electricity needs, has been forced to shut down several times, most recently in December.
Qatar donated $10 million to Hamas authorities in Gaza for fuel in the wake of the humanitarian crisis caused by severe weather in the region in December.
Even before winter storm Alexa, Gaza had experienced extreme fuel shortages that cut off access to basic necessities for Gaza residents since early November.
The Gaza Strip has been under a severe economic blockade imposed by Israel since 2006. Although enforcement from the Egyptian side eased following the 2011 revolution, since the July ouster of democratically-elected president Mohamed Morsi military authorities have tightened control.
The blockade has severely limited the imports and exports of the Gaza Strip and has led to frequent humanitarian crises and hardship for Gazans.
Energy authority: As of today afternoon, power outages for long hours in Gaza
Deputy head of the energy authority in Gaza Fathi Khalil said that the power station would stop providing Gaza areas with electricity on a steady basis as of 12 o'clock Saturday afternoon after its fuel reserves almost ran out. In press remarks, Khalil stated that his authority would have to cut electricity to Gaza areas for 12 hours every day until the Qatari-funded fuel arrives in Gaza through the Israeli-controlled crossing Karam Abu Salem.
Qatar channeled 10 million dollars to the Palestinian Authority (PA) in order to buy fuel supplies sufficient to operate the Gaza power station for about three months.
There is a possibility that the PA may fail to buy the fuel for Gaza and will use the Qatari grant to pay some of its debts, which exceeded 350 million shekels, to the Israeli petroleum company.
