The Gaza Strip/Because of the lack of fuel from Israel, the only power plant is not working

The only power plant in the Gaza Strip has stopped functioning on Friday because of the lack of fuel normally brought from Israel – a spokesman of the local energy group has informed. He told the AFP agency that the lack of fuel is caused by the closing of the Kerem Shalom crossing. Kerem Shalom, administered by Israel, is a border crossing on a border with Southeastern part of the Gaza Strip, which is ruled by the radical Palestinian movement Hamas. Because of the danger of terrorist attacks, there are strict security rules on the border.

“The plant stopped working on Friday morning because of the lack of fuel, which in turned was caused by the closing of Kerem Shalom” – said vice-director of the plant, referring to Israel’s decision on Tuesday about the closing of the crossing after a series of bloody incidents in the region.

According to the representative of the plant, the closing will force the group to minimise the energy supply to 6 hours per day. When the plant is working, the energy is supplied 12 hours a day.

The closing of Kerem Shalom happened after the incident on Tuesday, when a sniper from the Gaza Strip shot an Israeli citizen on the other side of the border, to which Israel has answered with attacking training camps of Hamas from air. During the air raid a Palestinian child was killed.

“The crossing is said to be down until further notice” – said an Israeli Defense Minister, Moshe Ya’alon.

Source: http://kurierwilenski.lt/2013/12/27/strefa-gazyz-braku-paliwa-z-izraela-nie-dziala-jedyna-elektrownia/

Tłumaczenie by Awa Ratajczak w ramach praktyk w Europejskiej Fundacji Praw Człowieka, www.efhr.eu. Translated by Awa Ratajczak within the framework of a traineeship programme of the European Foundation of Human Rights, www.efhr.eu.