Region | Palestinian Territories
Israel lifts Gaza fuel blockade
Residents were left struggling with severe power cuts after Israel closed borders to Gaza in response to rocket attacks by militants.
- Agencies
- Published: 08:22 January 22, 2008
- Image Credit: Reuters
- Trucks carrying fuel arrive at Nahal Oz crossing in Gaza on Tuesday, after Israel eased a blockade on the territory.
Gaza City: Fuel supplies to Gaza's main power plant resumed on Tuesday after Israel offered a temporary respite from a blockade of the territory.
The largely Jewish country also gave the European Union (EU) indefinite approval to supply the main Gaza power plant with industrial fuel, an EU official said.
"We can restart production 12 hours after the fuel arrives," said Derar Abu Sissi, the plant's general director, referring to the three days' worth of EU-supplied fuel.
Israel said it would also allow in 500,000 litres of diesel for generators, a supply of cooking gas and 50 trucks of food and medicine. Restrictions on petrol for cars remained.
Residents were left struggling with severe power cuts after Israel closed borders to Gaza in response to rocket attacks by militants. On Monday, Israel agreed to lift the blockade.
A Defence Ministry spokesman, however, described the emergency fuel supplies as only temporary. The ministry will then consider if further shipments will be allowed, he said.
The block on the entrance of fuel, food, and medicine has led to long lines at bakeries, left hospitals without heat and gas stations closed.
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