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Egypt uprising affects fuel shortages in Gaza

February 20, 2014 at 3:31 pm

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Fuel shortages in Gaza are now more acute than ever due to the Egyptian uprising, which has closed the border between Egypt and the Gaza Strip at Rafah. Even the tunnels, through which many essential food, medical and fuel supplies are smuggled to beat the Israeli blockade, have been bombed by Israel and aren’t as effective as before.

There is a severe shortage of fuel, with Palestinians lining up at petrol stations all over the Strip to make ends meet. Cheap fuel has run out and now the Palestinians have been forced to buy the more expensive type, which is predicted to run out in the next couple of days. Moreover, the high unemployment rate in Gaza means that most people in the territory are unable to afford the higher prices.


Fuel is not just needed to keep vehicles on the road; it is also a basic necessity used to run domestic and industrial generators during the frequent power cuts, keep hospital equipment running and heat homes, businesses and schools. The head of the Association of Petroleum Distributors in the Gaza Strip, Mahmoud Khaznadar, said that reserves of diesel and gasoline held by his members have run out completely.

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MEMO Photographer: Mohammed Asad