Gaza Power Plant Shuts Down

 Source: Alalam.ir, 20-1-2008
GAZA--Gaza's only electrical plant started switching off its turbines Sunday after the "Israeli" occupation regime blocked the shipment of fuel that powers them, Palestinian officials said, sending already beleaguered Gazans to stock up on food and batteries in anticipation of long, dark, cold days ahead.
The coastal Gaza Strip, where most of the 1.5 million residents depend on aid, remained shut for a third consecutive day as the "Israeli" cabinet decided to maintain the closure of crossing points.
A UN agency and human rights groups condemned "Israel" for the blockade.
"Israel" sealed all crossings into Gaza last week, cutting off fuel. Several weeks ago "Israel" had reduced the supply.
"We are going to shut down completely within hours,'' said Rafik Maliha, director of the power plant, around midday Sunday. The regular fuel shipment from "Israel" did not arrive Sunday because the fuel terminal was closed, and the plant has nearly no reserves, he said. As of late afternoon, power outages were noticeable in parts of Gaza City.
The cutback comes amid the peak winter demand for electricity and after seven months of tightened restrictions on the movement of goods and people in and out of the territory.
"This is a very fragile system that is suffering from seven months of closure and every additional blow is reverberating throughout hospitals, water wells and homes in Gaza," said Sari Bashi, director of the "Israeli" GISHA rights group.
The UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) warned that a shutdown of the station would have "a devastating impact." "Depriving people of such basics as water is tantamount to depriving them of human dignity," UNRWA spokesman Christopher Gunness said.
The British Human rights group Oxfam has also condemned the fuel cutoff calling it "unlawful.''
Residents of Gaza City were buying up batteries and candles, as well as basic foods like rice, flour and cooking oil, said grocery store owner Sami Mousa. More would be doing the same, he said, but "the problem is that the people don't have the money to buy.''
Dozens of people lined up outside a bakery in downtown Gaza City, fearing the electricity cutoff would lead to a bread shortage.
There were no signs of panic, as Gazans have been living with fuel cutbacks, power outages and shortages since June.
Gaza Energy Authority Head Kanan Obeid called on people to cut back their use of electric appliances. The UN organization in charge of Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, warned the "Israeli" blockade would drastically affect hospitals, sewage treatment plants and water facilities.
Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said the new measures amounted to a "death sentence" for the territory and called for international intervention.
"Closing the crossings into the Gaza Strip and stopping fuel shipments, alongside the continuation of the criminal killings represents a death sentence and a slow death for the Palestinian people," he said.
"We consider this crisis to be a violation of international law. The occupation must provide for the basic needs of the Palestinian people."
"Israel" has for months been launching air and ground strikes inside Gaza killing many civilians including women and children.