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/7201061.stm

The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Israel to ease blockade of Gaza Israel to ease blockade of Gaza
(20 minutes later)
The Israeli government has said it will allow power plant fuel and medicines into the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, easing a controversial blockade.The Israeli government has said it will allow power plant fuel and medicines into the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, easing a controversial blockade.
Defence Minister Ehud Barak agreed to ease the curbs for one day hours after the territory's sole power plant shut down, plunging Gaza City into darkness.Defence Minister Ehud Barak agreed to ease the curbs for one day hours after the territory's sole power plant shut down, plunging Gaza City into darkness.
The UN has warned food aid to about 860,000 Gaza people could be halted within days because of the blockade.The UN has warned food aid to about 860,000 Gaza people could be halted within days because of the blockade.
The EU says Israel is "collectively punishing" the Hamas-run territory.The EU says Israel is "collectively punishing" the Hamas-run territory.
Egypt has urged Israel to lift its border closure and the crisis is being discussed by the Arab League.Egypt has urged Israel to lift its border closure and the crisis is being discussed by the Arab League.
Gaza's only power plant produces 27% of the territory's electricity needs according to a recent UN report.Gaza's only power plant produces 27% of the territory's electricity needs according to a recent UN report.
I have made clear that I am against this collective punishment of the people of Gaza Benita Ferrero-Waldner,EU External Relations Commissioner Gaza's rocket threat to IsraelProfile: Gaza StripI have made clear that I am against this collective punishment of the people of Gaza Benita Ferrero-Waldner,EU External Relations Commissioner Gaza's rocket threat to IsraelProfile: Gaza Strip
Israel earlier reacted angrily to its shutdown, saying it was still providing power to Gaza and putting its current contribution at nearly 70%.Israel earlier reacted angrily to its shutdown, saying it was still providing power to Gaza and putting its current contribution at nearly 70%.
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said that while Israel did not want to provoke a humanitarian crisis, it does want to make people's lives "uncomfortable".Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said that while Israel did not want to provoke a humanitarian crisis, it does want to make people's lives "uncomfortable".
Foreign ministry spokesman Arye Mekel told the BBC the easing of restrictions was for one day only and the government would then review the situation.Foreign ministry spokesman Arye Mekel told the BBC the easing of restrictions was for one day only and the government would then review the situation.
The BBC's Paul Wood reports from Gaza that the Israelis seem to have been stung into easing the blockade by the UN warning of a food shortage.
However, our correspondent adds, Gaza's underlying problem, its exclusion from the peace process under Hamas rule, remains.
Bread and rocketsBread and rockets
Christopher Gunness, a spokesman for the UN relief agency UNWRA, said his agency was running short of nylon for plastic bags and fuel for vehicles and generators.Christopher Gunness, a spokesman for the UN relief agency UNWRA, said his agency was running short of nylon for plastic bags and fuel for vehicles and generators.
Generators are supplying critical power to hospitalsGenerators are supplying critical power to hospitals
He predicted that food distribution might have to be suspended "on Wednesday or Thursday".He predicted that food distribution might have to be suspended "on Wednesday or Thursday".
On Monday morning Gaza residents awoke to closed petrol stations and shuttered bakeries unable to bake bread - a staple food in Gaza.On Monday morning Gaza residents awoke to closed petrol stations and shuttered bakeries unable to bake bread - a staple food in Gaza.
Generators are being used to maintain critical power supplies to hospitals but there are fears that supplies of diesel could soon run out.Generators are being used to maintain critical power supplies to hospitals but there are fears that supplies of diesel could soon run out.
Mr Olmert insisted the Israeli action was limited to cutting fuel supplies for vehicles.Mr Olmert insisted the Israeli action was limited to cutting fuel supplies for vehicles.
Mr Mekell said the energy crisis in Gaza was a "a fabrication and a stage production by Hamas".Mr Mekell said the energy crisis in Gaza was a "a fabrication and a stage production by Hamas".
"There is no shortage of electricity - we provide 70% of the electricity for Gaza through electric cables and this is nothing to do with the fuel supplies," he said."There is no shortage of electricity - we provide 70% of the electricity for Gaza through electric cables and this is nothing to do with the fuel supplies," he said.
GAZA'S ELECTRICITY SOURCES Gaza uses 187 megawatts of electricityIsrael supplies 64% of this, and Egypt 9%The remaining 27% is produced by Gaza's power stationIsrael supplies the fuel oil for the Gaza power stationSource: UN report, May 2007 GAZA'S ELECTRICITY SOURCES Gaza uses 187 megawatts of electricityIsrael supplies 64% of this, and Egypt 9%The remaining 27% is produced by Gaza's power stationIsrael supplies the fuel oil for the Gaza power stationSource: UN report, May 2007
A report by the UN humanitarian affairs agency Ocha in May 2007 estimated that Israel supplied 64% of Gaza electricity, the local power station - 27%, and Egypt - 9%.A report by the UN humanitarian affairs agency Ocha in May 2007 estimated that Israel supplied 64% of Gaza electricity, the local power station - 27%, and Egypt - 9%.
After decades of occupation, Israel withdrew from the Gaza Strip in 2005, but it still controls the territory's borders and supplies.After decades of occupation, Israel withdrew from the Gaza Strip in 2005, but it still controls the territory's borders and supplies.
Hamas - branded a terrorist organisation by Israel, the US and the EU - has been in charge of Gaza since June, when it drove out rivals Fatah.Hamas - branded a terrorist organisation by Israel, the US and the EU - has been in charge of Gaza since June, when it drove out rivals Fatah.
More than 200 rockets and mortars have hit Israel from Gaza since an Israeli operation against militants on Tuesday that left 18 Palestinians dead, the Israeli military says.More than 200 rockets and mortars have hit Israel from Gaza since an Israeli operation against militants on Tuesday that left 18 Palestinians dead, the Israeli military says.
Foreign concernForeign concern
Before the Israeli announcement, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak telephoned Mr Olmert to warn him of the humanitarian effects of the blockade, and urged him to "stop the Israeli aggression".Before the Israeli announcement, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak telephoned Mr Olmert to warn him of the humanitarian effects of the blockade, and urged him to "stop the Israeli aggression".
Israel says border closures will stop if the rocket attacks endIsrael says border closures will stop if the rocket attacks end
He also raised the possibility of reopening the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt, which Israel insists should remain closed.He also raised the possibility of reopening the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt, which Israel insists should remain closed.
Arab League officials gathered in Cairo for an emergency meeting but it is unclear what action it can take other than pushing for humanitarian relief.Arab League officials gathered in Cairo for an emergency meeting but it is unclear what action it can take other than pushing for humanitarian relief.
The most significant action would be to reopen Gaza's crossing into Egypt but this would probably prove too controversial a step for the Egyptian government, the BBC's Ian Pannell reports.The most significant action would be to reopen Gaza's crossing into Egypt but this would probably prove too controversial a step for the Egyptian government, the BBC's Ian Pannell reports.
In other reaction:In other reaction:
    • The UK said it did not support the Israeli blockade and called for all parties to work for the reopening of the crossings. Reports that electricity has been cut because of fuel shortages are particularly alarming, it said
    • The UK said it did not support the Israeli blockade and called for all parties to work for the reopening of the crossings. Reports that electricity has been cut because of fuel shortages are particularly alarming, it said
    • International aid agency Oxfam said Gaza's water and sanitation system was "running on empty" with most pumps due to shut down by Tuesday
    • International aid agency Oxfam said Gaza's water and sanitation system was "running on empty" with most pumps due to shut down by Tuesday
    • EU external relations commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner spoke out against "this collective punishment of the people of Gaza" and called for an end to the blockade
    • EU external relations commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner spoke out against "this collective punishment of the people of Gaza" and called for an end to the blockade
    • Iran called on foreign ministers of Islamic states to convene on the crisis
    • Iran called on foreign ministers of Islamic states to convene on the crisis
    • Jordan said it was "deeply concerned" about Israeli "military violations" and Lebanese PM Fouad Siniora said Israel was escalating "racial discrimination... under the pretext of confronting Hamas"
    • Jordan said it was "deeply concerned" about Israeli "military violations" and Lebanese PM Fouad Siniora said Israel was escalating "racial discrimination... under the pretext of confronting Hamas"
      • Are you in Gaza? Have you been affected by the Israeli blockade? Please send your comments by using the form below:
      Are you in Gaza? Have you been affected by the Israeli blockade? Please send your comments by using the form below:
      Name
      		 Name