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/7198798.stm
The article has changed 13 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Gaza fuel shortage begins to bite | Gaza fuel shortage begins to bite |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| The main power plant in the Gaza Strip has started to shut down due to a fuel shortage after Israel closed its border crossings with the Hamas-run territory. | The main power plant in the Gaza Strip has started to shut down due to a fuel shortage after Israel closed its border crossings with the Hamas-run territory. |
| The closure, imposed in the wake of continued rocket fire from Gaza, has brought the delivery of almost all supplies, including fuel, to a halt. | |
| The UN says the plant's shutdown would have a devastating impact on Gaza's 1.5m inhabitants. | The UN says the plant's shutdown would have a devastating impact on Gaza's 1.5m inhabitants. |
| Israel says Gaza has sufficient fuel and the plant's closure is unnecessary. | Israel says Gaza has sufficient fuel and the plant's closure is unnecessary. |
| Hospitals fear | Hospitals fear |
| The Palestinian Energy Authority said two turbines at Gaza's power plant had shut early on Sunday and the plant would be closed within 24 hours. | |
| The plant's director, Rafik Maliha, said the regular fuel delivery from Israel had not arrived on Sunday because the fuel terminal, Nahal Oz, was closed and the facility had no reserves. | |
| The Energy Authority said more than a million Gazans would be affected by power outages, which would also hit hospitals, sewage works and food refrigeration systems. | |
| Israel says border closures will stop if the rocket attacks endThe authority told the BBC that half of Gaza's electricity needs would continue to be provided by Israel, but the loss of the power plant would be devastating. | |
| The closure comes amid the peak winter demand for electricity. | The closure comes amid the peak winter demand for electricity. |
| The United Nations has warned Israel's decision to keep the crossings into Gaza closed will only worsen an already dire humanitarian situation. | The United Nations has warned Israel's decision to keep the crossings into Gaza closed will only worsen an already dire humanitarian situation. |
| Most Gazans are reliant on fuel imports and humanitarian supplies. | Most Gazans are reliant on fuel imports and humanitarian supplies. |
| But Israeli foreign ministry spokesman Arye Mekel said the situation was not as bad as the Palestinians made out. | But Israeli foreign ministry spokesman Arye Mekel said the situation was not as bad as the Palestinians made out. |
| "They have an interest in exaggerating," he said. | "They have an interest in exaggerating," he said. |
| Israel had reduced the flow of petrol used in cars, as well as diesel, he said, but not fuel oil and cooking gas. | Israel had reduced the flow of petrol used in cars, as well as diesel, he said, but not fuel oil and cooking gas. |
| Mr Mekel said Israel's responsibility was to its own citizens and the border closures were intended to apply pressure to the Palestinian authorities to stop militants in Gaza firing rockets at Israel. | |
| "The ball is in their court," said Mr Mekel. "If they stop the rockets today, everything would go back to normal." | "The ball is in their court," said Mr Mekel. "If they stop the rockets today, everything would go back to normal." |
| Israel shut border crossings with Gaza on Thursday, amid escalating violence with Palestinian militants there. | Israel shut border crossings with Gaza on Thursday, amid escalating violence with Palestinian militants there. |