Israel Restores Gaza Power Supply

Following the Palestinian Authority decision to resume payments to Israel for electricity in Gaza, Israel has agreed to restore power, according to media reports on Sunday.

Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz gave the order to the Israel Electric Corporation to resume the full 50-megawatt supply of electricity to the Gaza Strip, expected to be effective as of Tuesday.

Resolution of the issue of power supply was part of the reconciliation agreement between the ruling Fatah party and Hamas in October. Fatah stopped paying Israel for Gaza electricity during their dispute, and power shortages were severe.

The Israeli decision was criticized by the parents of Hadar Goldin, Hy”d, whose body is being held by Hamas in Gaza

“The Israeli government under [Prime Minister Binyamin] Netanyahu and the cabinet ministers chose to give in to Hamas and not condition the renewal of the energy supply to Gaza on the return of (missing soldiers) Oron Shaul, Hy”d, and Hadar Goldin, Hy”d,” they said.

“All humanitarian moves regarding Gaza by Israel and the international community should be conditioned on the immediate return of Oron and Hadar (to their families).”