Egypt allows diesel into Gaza

Egypt allows diesel into Gaza to help get the Strip’s electricity plant up and running on 21 June 2017 [Mohammed Asad/Middle East Monitor]

Egypt allows diesel into Gaza to help get the Strip’s electricity plant up and running on 21 June 2017 [Mohammed Asad/Middle East Monitor]

Egypt allows diesel into Gaza to help get the Strip’s electricity plant up and running on 21 June 2017 [Mohammed Asad/Middle East Monitor]

Egypt allows diesel into Gaza to help get the Strip’s electricity plant up and running on 21 June 2017 [Mohammed Asad/Middle East Monitor]

Egypt allows diesel into Gaza to help get the Strip’s electricity plant up and running on 21 June 2017 [Mohammed Asad/Middle East Monitor]

Egypt allows diesel into Gaza to help get the Strip’s electricity plant up and running on 21 June 2017 [Mohammed Asad/Middle East Monitor]

Egypt has today allowed diesel to enter the Gaza Strip through the Rafah crossing.

According to the information office at the border, 11 trucks entered Gaza loaded with one million litres of diesel which are destined for the enclave’s power plant.

More trucks are expected to arrive later today, a source said, adding that fuel pumping would continue for several days.

The Rafah crossing has been opened for the entry of diesel only, the official said.

Read: Israel begins reducing Gaza electricity supply

Gaza’s electricity plant is expected to start operating within 24 hours, after it was forced to shut down in mid-April due to a shortage of fuel.

This week Israel reduced the electricity it supplies to the besieged enclave further worsening an already dire humanitarian situation. The Palestinian Energy Authority said the Israel Electric Corporation (IEC) had cut by eight megawatts the 120 megawatts it supplies to the Gaza Strip.

#GazaSiege

Egypt’s actions come following a meeting between a Hamas security delegation and officials from the Fatah movement who support former leader Mohammed Dahlan under the auspices of the Egyptian leadership last week.