Israel allows entry of diesel into Gaza

Israel opened the Karam Abu Salam (Kerem Shalom) crossing between it and the Gaza Strip yesterday to allow diesel into the besieged coastal enclave.

A member of the Gaza Union of Gas Station Owners, Nour Al-Din Al-Khazandar, told Ma’an that 500,000 litres of diesel were expected to be allowed into Gaza.

Gaza’s power authority said in a statement on Thursday that its main electricity plant had been operating with only two generators, causing “confusion in the schedule of electricity distribution”, especially amid high demand for electricity as a result of the cold weather.

The authority also highlighted that there was a “stall” on the entry of Turkish fuel aid to Gaza.

The crossing was opened last month for the entry of gas and diesel into Gaza, amidst heightening tensions over a dire electricity crisis that has left the majority of the Gaza Strip with only three hours of power a day.