Gaza’s only power plant closed yesterday as a result of financial disputes with the West Bank-based Palestinian Authority over fuel tax, according to the Hamas-run Electricity Authority.
The Electricity Authority revealed on its website that the power plant has completely shut down after a Qatari grant to pay for the fuel used for operating it ran dry; the money transferred from the electricity distribution company for buying fuel ran out; and the continued imposition of taxes on fuel, which prevented them from purchasing it.
It also stressed its willingness to purchase fuel through the funds collected monthly by the distribution company provided that the fuel tax is cancelled and fuel is sold for its original price only.
The Hamas-run authority also noted that the power plant “will remain shut until this humane and fair demand has been fulfilled and until the problem of the fuel purchase has been resolved once and for all.” It called on official bodies and all Palestinian factions to support the “humanitarian demand” of abolishing the fuel tax imposed by the unity government.
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