Israel to allow import of fuel for Gaza power plant

IDF laision to the Palestinians says further lifting of restrictions conditional on preservation of security stability; no agreement yet made on Qatari money transfer

AFP, Ynet|
Israel said Sunday it would allow Qatari-funded fuel for electricity production at the Gaza Strip's sole power plant.
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  • "The decision was made following a security assessment in that matter and approved by the political echelon, and is conditional upon the preservation of security stability," said COGAT, the IDF's liaison body to the Palestinians.
    2 View gallery
    A picture taken with a drone shows Gaza's lone power plant, in the central Gaza Strip
    A picture taken with a drone shows Gaza's lone power plant, in the central Gaza Strip
    A picture taken with a drone shows Gaza's lone power plant, in the central Gaza Strip
    (Photo: Reuters)
    Israel has also agreed to lift restrictions on certain imports through the Kerem Shalom Border Crossing.
    No agreement has yet reportedly been made regarding the transfer of Qatari money to some 100,000 families in Gaza and Hamas clerks.
    The seaside enclave, home to about two million Palestinians, has been under a joint Egyptian-Israeli blockade since 2007.
    Israel tightened its restrictions in May during an 11-day conflict with Hamas, the Islamist group that controls the Gaza Strip.
    Last week Israel renewed postal service to the territory and allowed some exports of agricultural produce and clothing to resume.
    2 View gallery
     Palestinian man stands next to a truck carrying clothes for export, at Kerem Shalom crossing in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip,
     Palestinian man stands next to a truck carrying clothes for export, at Kerem Shalom crossing in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip,
    A Palestinian man stands next to a truck carrying clothes for export, at Kerem Shalom crossing in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip
    (Photo: Reuters)
    It also expanded the fishing zone it grants to Gaza, from six to nine nautical miles, and allowed for the importing of raw materials for "essential civilian factories".
    Israel loosened restrictions amid a ceasefire that took effect May 21, ending the deadliest fighting between Israel and Hamas since 2014.
    The ceasefire has largely held, although earlier this month, Palestinian militants set off incendiary balloons to spark fires in farmland and Israel responded with airstrikes.
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