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Photo: Shaul Golan
Barak authorizes increasing shipments of diesel fuel to Gaza
In response to human rights group petition, state prosecutors say Israel will transfer over 58,000 gallons of diesel fuel a week to Palestinian coastal
Defense Minister Ehud Barak has authorized the temporary increase of diesel fuel sent to Gaza's power station, State prosecutors said Thursday in their answer to a High Court petition filed by human rights groups.
According to the State, Israel will transfer over 58,000 gallons of diesel fuel to Gaza per week – similar to the original amount provided to the Strip before the reduction plan was realized. No timeframe has been given for the decision.
The Prosecution said the decision was reached in accordance with the State's commitment to provide minimal humanitarian supplies to the Strip, including the regular supply of electricity to hospitals.
The petitioning human rights groups, Adalah and Gisha, said in a statement that "Israel, which controls Gaza's borders, is making cynical use of the population's complete dependency on the supply of basic necessities such as fuel and electricity.
"The State is tightening the stranglehold of collective punishment and loosens its grip only when the residents of Gaza begin to suffocate."
Hassan Khalef, director of Shifa Hospital in Gaza, said there was a significant rise in power cuts in the central Strip due to limited diesel fuel supplies, adding that the shortages "hinder the functioning of vital systems and hospitals," adding that "life-saving medical equipment is being damaged."
According to him, last Saturday hospital staff could not disinfect medical equipment due to a "10 to 12-hour power cut".
