BICOM

Israel’s Energy Ministry says it will increase the electricity supply to the Gaza Strip this morning after reducing it following a request by the Palestinian Authority (PA) last June.

Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz instructed the Israel Electric Corporation to increase its supply of electricity by 50 megawatts to the Gaza Strip, in a move that was reportedly carried out in coordination with the security establishment.

In June, as part of a clash between the PA and Hamas over the latter establishing what the PA described as a “shadow government” in Gaza, the PA asked Israel to reduce its monthly electricity payment for Gaza from NIS 40 million to NIS 25 million. Many residents were left with around four hours of electricity per day as a result.

Yesterday, Israel’s Defence Ministry said that Israel’s 10 power lines into Gaza, which can provide up to 120 megawatts a day, will be “fully operational” by Monday night. The increase from 70 megawatts a day to 120 megawatts a day means that Gaza residents are expected to get an extra two to four hours of power a day.  Assuming electricity supplied from Egypt is not interrupted and the Gaza electricity plant can continue at its current levels, the total power supply to the Strip will reach 208 megawatts a day.

Israel’s decision to increase the supply was taken within the context of the reconciliation agreement between Fatah and Hamas, as well as concerns within the security establishment about a worsening humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip. On Thursday, the AFP reported that hundreds of Palestinians in the Gaza-based Jabaliya refugee camp protested against electricity cuts and worsening economic conditions.

Gaza continues to suffer from a serious humanitarian crisis with unemployment at approximately 40 per cent and healthcare services deteriorating rapidly.

The decision to increase electricity supply to Gaza was criticised by the parents of the Lt Hadar Goldin, whose body is being held by Hamas in Gaza. “The Israeli government under [Prime Minister] Netanyahu’s leadership and the security cabinet ministers chose today to capitulate once again to Hamas and failed to condition the restoration of the regular supply of electricity to Gaza on the return of the soldiers Oron Shaul and Hadar Goldin,” a family statement said.