RAMALLAH, 29 Oct (JMCC) -
Fatah and
Hamas are pointing fingers at each other over electrical blackouts and bills in the
Gaza Strip. They blame each other for the mishandling of foreign aid and tax revenue leading to roughly half of Gaza's 1.5 million besieged and impoverished residents living without sufficient electricity, dependent on dangerous generators.
Their disagreement centers on Gaza's monthly 80 million shekel energy bill. The
Palestinian Authority asserts they purchase 90 percent of Gaza's energy while Hamas officials argue corruption in
Ramallah siphons international funds away from needed power plant fuel purchases.
The effects of Gaza’s electricity shortage affect every part of life. Generators are expensive and dangerous; Gaza’s Health Ministry says 150 people have died in generator accidents in the past few years.
Without reliable electricity farmers cannot pump water from wells, sewage cannot be treated, and sensitive hospital equipment is damaged.
Read more at the
Christian Science Monitor...