This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/6956974.stm

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
EU to resume Gaza fuel payments EU to resume Gaza fuel payments
(40 minutes later)
The EU has said it will resume paying for fuel shipments to the only power plant in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday on a provisional basis.The EU has said it will resume paying for fuel shipments to the only power plant in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday on a provisional basis.
The bloc cut off funding on Thursday because of concerns over plans by the Islamist group Hamas, which controls Gaza, to tax electricity bills.The bloc cut off funding on Thursday because of concerns over plans by the Islamist group Hamas, which controls Gaza, to tax electricity bills.
A senior Hamas leader denied his group had any such tax plans, and said assurances had been sent to the EU.A senior Hamas leader denied his group had any such tax plans, and said assurances had been sent to the EU.
The row left hundreds of thousands of Palestinians without electricity.The row left hundreds of thousands of Palestinians without electricity.
In a statement, the EU said it would resume paying for the Gaza Generating Company's fuel supplies after receiving assurances that its officials would have greater oversight. The resumption of fuel-aid payments to Gaza comes after EU officials held a meeting with the Palestinian Prime Minister, Salam Fayyad, in the West Bank.
"In agreement with the Palestinian Authority, the [European] Commission will resume Wednesday, on a provisional basis, deliveries of fuel to the Gaza power plant," it said. In a statement, the European Commission said it had agreed with Mr Fayyad that audits would be carried out to ensure that "fuel aid in Gaza remains properly managed".
Earlier, the former Palestinian prime minister, Ismail Haniya, said the decision to withdraw funding amounted to collective punishment for the people of Gaza. "In agreement with the Palestinian Authority, the commission will resume Wednesday, on a provisional basis, deliveries of fuel to the Gaza power plant," it said.
Earlier, the former Palestinian prime minister, Ismail Haniya of Hamas, said the decision to withdraw funding amounted to collective punishment for the people of Gaza.