Israel to sell fuel to Gaza

Sale via PA to Hamas will ease severe power crisis in the strip

Palestinians wait to fill gas canisters at a fuel station in Khan Younis (photo credit: Abed Rahim Khatib/Flash 90)
Palestinians wait to fill gas canisters at a fuel station in Khan Younis (photo credit: Abed Rahim Khatib/Flash 90)

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) — A Gaza official said on Wednesday that Israeli fuel is being trucked to the Gaza Strip to power the Palestinian territory’s only electricity station and ease a severe power shortage.

Gaza crossing official Raed Fattouh confirmed that the fuel was being shipped.

The announcement comes a day after a spokesman for Gaza’s Hamas government, Taher Nunu, said Hamas would buy enough fuel daily to power the plant.

The West Bank-based Palestinian Authority will conduct the purchase because Hamas and Israel shun each other.

Fuel smuggled from Egypt used to be the main source of Gaza’s energy. But Egypt cut off the flow two months ago over a dispute with Hamas over fuel delivery and payment.

The fuel is for the power station and won’t alleviate shortages that have idled vehicles across the territory.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.

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