Gaza’s only electrical power station will shut down on Tuesday, the Hamas-run Gaza Energy Authority says in a statement. The station runs on diesel fuel, which Israel has banned from entering the Strip, following hundreds of explosive balloons launched from Gaza into Israeli territory.
The power station provides roughly a third of the Gaza Strip’s electricity, according to figures provided by the Quartet; the remainder is provided by the Israeli Electric Corporation.
Blackouts are a regular feature of life in the Gaza Strip, where electricity is often only available between 10-12 hours a day — a 50 percent deficit. The Gaza Energy Authority estimates that the electricity deficit will increase to 75% without the Gaza power station.
Palestinians ride a donkey near the Gaza power plant in Nuseirat, in the central Gaza Strip October 9, 2018. (AFP PHOTO / SAID KHATIB/File)
Gaza-based terror groups have launched numerous explosive balloons from Gaza over the past several days. Last night, they launched rockets into Israel, some of which were intercepted by the Iron Dome. In response, the Israeli Air Force has conducted numerous strikes against Hamas targets and closed Gaza’s main commercial crossing save for humanitarian aid.
After clashes between Gazans and Israeli forces close to the border fence last night, COGAT announced Israel was shutting down the Gaza fishing zone as well.
— Aaron Boxerman
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