Egyptian diesel finished, one million Gazans plunged into darkness and cold

(ANSAmed) - GAZA, FEBRUARY 13 - More than a million Palestinians were last night plunged into darkness in the Gaza Strip, with the last reserves of Egyptian diesel from the only local electric power station about to run out. The "lucky ones" are those who live in the far south and north of the Gaza Strip, areas that remain connected to the Israeli electrical network, and the city of Rafah, in the far south, which continues to receive electricity from across the border in Egypt.

For everyone else, there is no alternative but to make use of the deafening family generators. In the centre of Gaza, nearby shop-owners are connected to the same generators to keep at least their shop signs running. But in the major streets, the relentless mechanic whirring of the engines frightens off the few clients in the area, who are forced to cover their ears with their hands. With petrol pumps now dry for the last couple of days, the streets have gradually emptied. Small crowds have gathered along the pavements, waiting (sometimes for hours) for any means of transport that can take them towards their homes. Group taxis are very rare and quickly snapped up. more

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