Hamas accuses PA of undermining solutions for electricity crisis in Gaza

Islamic Palestinian Movement Hamas accused on Tuesday the Palestinian Authority (PA) based in Ramallah of undermining solutions proposed for electricity crisis in the Gaza Strip, Anadolu reported.

Hamas spokesperson Fawzi Barhoum

“Rami Hamadallah, PA prime minister, rejected the plans proposed by Hamas and the other national and Islamic movements to solve the electricity crisis in the Gaza Strip,” Hamas Spokesman Fawzi Barhoum said.

He added: “Hamadallah has previously said that he accepted the proposed plans, but his government ignored these plans based on popular and factional efforts exerted to reach and end for the electricity crisis and the suffering of the people have been living under Israeli siege for the 11th year.”

Barhoum’s remarks came just hours after the PA government had accused Hamas, which rules Gaza, of undermining the proposed plans.

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Hamas spokesman said that the PA returned back to the “blue tax” imposed on the industrial fuel bought for the sole electricity plant in Gaza.

Palestinian energy authority in Gaza warned on February 9 of the renewal of the electricity crisis in Gaza in case the needed fuel was not sent to the electricity plant in Gaza.

On January 12, Qatar and Turkey decided to send and pay for fuel needed for the Gaza electricity plant each for six month. Energy authority in Gaza said in a statement that the first batch of the grant’s fuel ran out and no more fuel was sent from Ramallah.

Gaza has been suffering an electricity crisis for more than 10 years. Gaza consumes 400 megawatts of electricity every day. Only 212 megawatts are affordable -120 from Israel, 32 from Egypt and 60 from the electricity plant in Gaza.