In fact, Hamas itself shut down Gaza's only power station after inviting the media to watch it do so. IT Is ALL ALL A STAGE SHOW ! The mainstream media ultimately assisted Hamas in creating the impression of a humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The fact is Israel has restricted fuel supplies in response to the terrorism emanating from Gaza but continues to provide the Palestinians with electricity. The Times of London omits this vital fact altogether in a story headlined "Darkness falls on Gaza as Israel takes revenge for rocket attacks". AFP, while quoting Israeli officials, also omitted the facts leaving readers with the impression that Israel is simply denying responsibility. While Gazans are undoubtedly suffering, the dark picture painted by the mainstream media is different from the reality. As the Israel's Foreign Ministry notes, the supply of electricity to Gaza from the Israel and the Egyptian power grids (124 Megawatts and 17 Megawatts respectively) has continued uninterrupted. These 141 Megawatts of power represents about three quarters of Gaza's electricity needs. Check it out with the Israel Electric Company workers' committee chairman MR. Miko Zarfati

jumps! Personally I think you'd be better off having Livni telling him to do the unmentionable, Oh my, now that'll really fire him up and I can't imagine what else you'd have to concede on, to make it up to him.

That there are really no spines left in the Cabinet meetings. I guess that dress Barak wore on his last mission took hold!

Only a few Jews threatened. What's al the fuss? Once again, al-Jazeera editing Ynet articles!

the press here is making very clear that the power station in Gaza only supplied 25 % of the electricity and the rest was still being supplied by Israel. Also it made clear Hamas was lying about a crisis. It is therefore rather strange that israel's leaders got cold feet after one day of the siege. This from a party that was supposed to protect all Israelis if there was a withdrawal from Gaza and which is the most inept government ever elected in Israel

Well, that didn't take long! I didn't think the two Ehuds had the beitzim to stand their ground. Until Israel finds leaders who care more about Israel and it's citizens, than about the "international community'", who cares more about the rights of terrorists, than the rights of the terrorists' victims, nothing's going to change.

You should only allow enough fuel for hospitals only...

Barak and Abbas are equal in this crime ... Hama will over thorough both of them. The Palestinains decided not to die of Tifoed or Kolira. and they won't... But they will fight till the end of Jewish Zionist existance in the World... God guarantee to fulfil this promise.

I've experienced power outages after storms here in the US that lasted longer. No one here was moaning "humanitarian crisis". Yet a few phone calls from Mubarak and others and Barak is already easing the pressure. Trust me, this "one time shipment" will prove the first of many regular shipments. So sad.

Do they need the fuel for electricity to produce more kassams? Why do we have cowards running the government? They should have bombed the power station. The gazans should suffer till they surrender and give us Gilad, all their weapons,explosives and politicians. The time has come for new elections and we need new leadership. We need leaders with the courage to defend Israel,even if it means killing the enemy and their civilians.

Reuter does an excellent job in posed photography. Instead of taking boring pictures, Reuter photographer placed the fuel nozzles on the ground. Why do realistic and objective photos when you can do subjective and artistic propagandas. The new photojournalism: inject your own view to pictures.

Barak, are you a TOTAL idiot???

WHAT A FILTHY DECEPTION !: "the shutdown of its only power station due to Israel's decision to stop it supply of fuel" IT'S ONLY POWER STATION SUPPLIES ONLY 30% OF ITS SERVICE ! ISRAEL ELECTRIC SUPPLYS 70% ! AND ISRAEL ELECTRIC MANTAINS THE GRID WHILE UNDER FIRE ! YOU WOULDN'T DARE PUBLISH THESE FACTS !

Well, it seems like YOU have plenty of electricity to rant & rave your foolishness on your computer...kinda puts the lie to all the "boo-hoo, poor us" you Gazans are trying to fool the world with...

Barak is a wonderful war hero and he deserves praise but he now lives the high life and is seemingly out of touch with day to day people. "Only 6 kassams fell today". !! Hamas should be terrified of even one kassam feeling and Israel has the ability to terrify Hamas - but not by bombing empty fields. Oh yes - it's empty buildings now! Mike

Then permanently halt terrorism and the qassams... I am sure someone from hamas and hizbelah monitors these talkbacks to see how public opinion flows.... they need to know if they want things to get vastly better for palistinans both in gaza and the west bank they need to wisly heed what was said above or if they still insist on the removal of israel as thier goal they need to know Israel will shut them down .... a co-opertive peace is benificial to both palistinians and Israel ! it can be a model to the whole world can look to or it can be a disaster that the whole world will participates in.

Barak authorizes isolated shipment of diesel fuel to Gaza subject to the need to stop the Palestinian aggression against the Israeli people". Qasaam !!!!! Benita Ferrero Waldner, the EU external relations commissioner, should take note , that this fuel cut ,this time, it is to deter and educate Gaza. Stop the Qassams or there will be a night mare known as ACTUAL COLLECTIVE PUNISHMENT FOR REAL. The Arab League and the EU are experts in " Collective Punishment" Their history stinks with such actions an ommissions. NOw we Israeli know the subject better after the holocaust.We have learned. The international Quartet should come out of their false pretense and empatic denials - taking sides at the peace breaking Qassam launchings. those namely non - other then the Gaza terrorist at the Sovereign Israel .It is wise that they place the pressure on the Gaza terrorist instead .The gaza terrorist better stop their provocations or they really get " COLLECTIVE PUNISHMENT ". Israel will make their Nightmare come true.And it will be a REAL Collective Punishement.this time! For the moment, the ONE TIME SUPPLY is just an act of kindness for the hospitals,the Gaza Civilians and for those in need. I hope they use the fuel wisely.Dont get confued with Supply of Electricity and Gas Supply.They are two diffrent issue ! Remember the restrictions is on and no change in the status quo ! May the PALS think carefully ! This is just a one time isolated shipment authorised by compassionate grounds. Dont push us any further !

This shows that Barak is gutless, he is a coward. Cannot resist presssure from all our "friends" ie Europe, Egypt, Bahrain, and US/\ Just as he fled from Lebanon in 2000, so now he gives in under slightest pressure. How can one trust him to become Prime Minister of this country ? Wouldn't dream of voting for such a coward !

Even two-to-one kassams are entirely unacceptable! They're as disgusting as those who would send them.

Because israel's leaders have no faith in Hshem they always bow ,rather quickly to outside forces out of fear and weakness. How sad to see such pathetic falthless cowards without backbone ruling over Israel and capitulating at every turn.

Olmert and Barak are weak leaders that will soon be replaced with strong ones and things in Gaza will only get much worse. But please read this from and ex-jihadist. http://formerjihadist.notlong.com A brave man that was almost brainwashed. It offers hope! Mike

ONLY SIX QUASSEMS TODAY=2190A YEAR.THIS STATISTIC DOES NOT INDICATE THE NUMBER OF THOSE THAT ARE KILLED WHEN THESE MISSILES FIND THEIR MARK,THOSE WOUNDED THOSE WHO GO INTO SHOCK THOSE WHOSE HOUSES, FACTORIES AND SCHOOLS THAT ARE DESTROYED.TOTAL ELLIMINATION OF THESE BOMB SQUADS IS WHAT IS REQUIRED BEFORE ANY SEIGE OR FUEL SUPPLIES ALLEVIATE THE CONDITIONS THAT THE GAZANS SO DESIRE .THERE MUST BE NO BARGAINING CHIPS TO PUT THEM ON AN EQUAL PEDESTAL TO THAT OF ISRAEL. THE RE-SUPPLY OF FUEL IS AN INTEGRAL PART IN THE MANUFACTURE OF NEW WEAPONS AS WELL AS THOSE USED IN THE STREETS IN AN UNSOFISTICATED FORM...""MOLOTOV COCKTAILS"THIS IS THE TIME TO MAKE AN END TO THE HATRED OF THE GAZANS ONCE AND FOR ALL.WHEN ISRAEL TAKES DECISIVE ACTION THE WORLD TREMBLES. THIS HAS BEEN DEMONSTRATED TIME AND TIME AGAIN,.WHEN ISRAEL IS INDECISIVE THEN IT SCREAMS .TAKE FULL ADVANTAGE AND BRING CORPORAL SHALLIT HOME TO A HEROS WELCOME WITHOUT ANY CONCESSIONS GIVEN...TOUGHNESS PAYS!