Fuel ban plunges Gaza into darkness

Updated 10.44 Mon Jan 21 2008

Keywords: rockets, block, fuel, Israel, Gaza

Gaza city has been plunged into darkness after it was forced to shut down its only electrical plant following a block by Israel on the shipment of fuel that powers them.

The city's residents have been rushing to stock up on necessities such as food and batteries in preparation for the dark and cold days ahead.

The fuel ban means hospitals have been forced to turn off medical equipmet while the city's food supliers, such as bakeries, have been unable to produce food for the queues of people attempting to stock up in preparation

Despite a seven-month blockade, Israel had still allowed basic food items and humanitarian supplies to be delivered to Gaza.

But this has been stopped after Israel ordered the closure of all crossings in retaliation against days of intense rocket fire from Gaza.

The fuel ban means hospitals have been forced to turn off medical equipment while the city's food supliers, such as bakeries, have been unable to produce food for the queues of people attempting to stock up in preparation.

One citizen said: "We waited in line for an hour. An hour and a half for bread. We're adults, we can stand it, but the children cannot.

"It's not just the bread, fuel has been cut off, electricity and gas have been cut off too."

The power ban has attracted criticism from the United Nations and human rights groups, but Israel says criticism should be directed at Palestinian militant groups that fire rockets at southern Israel every day.

Hamas spokesman, Sami Abu Zuhri, said: "Gaza is (under) a Zionist siege after cutting the electricity and closing terminals and continuing their crimes. We consider what is going on against Gaza as war crimes happening in front of the world."

Israel pulled out of Gaza in 2005, but many see Israel as still responsible, since it controls most land, sea and air access to the territory.