PA applies to Israel to extend gas line to Gaza

The Palestinian Authority has made an official request to Israel to extend a gas pipeline to the power station in the Gaza Strip. Omar Katana, the head of the Palestinian Energy and Natural Resources Authority, told the Anadolu Agency‎ that the authority submitted the project to Israel following a meeting held on Wednesday in the city of Jerusalem and attended by technical advisers and representatives of the Palestinian reconciliation government as well as Israelis.

If Israel approves the project and funding is available, it will be implemented immediately.

“The gas pipeline would increase the production capabilities of the Gaza power station to reach 340 megawatts,” he said. The power station currently produces about 60 megawatts.

Katana explained that the Israeli authorities informed them that they would respond regarding the project within a month.

The head of the Qatar National Committee for the Reconstruction of Gaza, Ambassador Mohammed Al Emadi, said during his visit to Gaza on 6 January that his country will finance the project in the if Israeli approval is attained.