Gaza's only power plant runs out of fuel
The depletion of fuel at the only power plant in the Gaza Strip has left thousands of Palestinians in darkness.
In a public statement on Sunday, Zafer Milhen, head of the Palestinian Energy and Natural Resources Authority (PNERA), said the Gaza Strip's only power plant would stop operating if fuel were not imported through Israel-controlled crossings, warning of the serious consequences on vital sectors.
Despite this warning, the plant stopped operating on Tuesday. Palestinian sources, according to the newspaper Al-Ain, confirmed that the station had stopped working completely, days after its partial operation. This blackout means an increase in the electricity deficit of the sector to more than 75%, which could paralyse all aspects of life in the Strip.
The PNERA statement claims that the closure of the Kerem Shalon crossing, which is the commercial border crossing between Israel and Gaza, is the reason why no industrial fuel has been allowed in to operate Gaza's only power plant since 12 August.
Over the past few days, Gaza's electricity has been running at a rate of eight hours, followed by eight hours of disconnection.
The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights expressed its concern about the impact of stopping the operation of the power plant on all basic services for the residents of the Gaza Strip, especially health services, industrial, commercial and agricultural facilities.
As reported by Al Ain, the spokesperson of the Palestinian Ministry of Health in the Gaza Strip, Ashraf al-Qidra, expressed concern about "the dangerous impact on the lives of newborn babies and intensive care patients".
On 11 August, Israel closed the Karem Shalon intersection after militants in the Palestinian enclave launched incendiary balloons into Israeli territory.
In recent days, the crossing between the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and young Palestinian Hamas militants has caused up to 30 fires.