The Gaza power plant
Photo: AFP
Gaza power plant shuts down, again
Strife between Gaza, Ramallah authorities render Strip's power plant devoid of fuel
Gaza Strip's sole power plant has been forced to shut down in the midst of a heat wave because of a lack of fuel, a senior Palestinian source said Saturday.
The plant, which provides 20% of Gaza's power, has ongoing problems getting enough fuel due to disagreements with the rival Palestinian government in the West Bank.
The plant provides Gaza City and its surroundings with six to 10 hours of electricity a day. The rest of the densely-populated territory receives its electricity from Egypt and Israel.
The power plant has been shut down three times in the past for similar reasons.
Gaza's Hamas rulers are meant to collect the utility bills and the rival Western-backed Palestinian Authority is supposed to buy the fuel.
Palestinian Authority spokesman Ghassan Khatib says Hamas isn't sending enough money. The militant group denies the charge.
AP contributed to this report
