Israeli security agencies opened the crossings to the Gaza Strip over the weekend for shipments of humanitarian aid, including 450,000 liters of diesel fuel, paid for by Qatar and bought from Israel from the Palestinian Authority, which allowed the Strip’s sole functioning electrical power station to resume operating for the first time since Egypt blocked smuggling tunnels seven weeks ago. The supply of diesel and other goods came in response to an appeal by the Islamist terror militia Hamas, which has struggled to cope with massive flooding which has forced several thousand residents from their homes and damaged many roads, businesses and other infrastructure. The damage was so severe the UN designated the Strip “a disaster area” on Saturday and appealed for international donors to send aid. Read More
