Lights out in Gaza after Israel blocks fuel

By Nidal al-Mughrabi

GAZA (Reuters) - Large parts of the Gaza Strip plunged into darkness on Sunday when its main power plant shut down after Israel blocked fuel supplies and closed the border to the Hamas-run territory.

Israel said the blockade was in response to rocket attacks from Gaza and that "everything would go back to normal" if militants stopped firing missiles, Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Arye Mekel said.

Israel has also reduced the flow of petrol used in cars, as well as diesel, but not fuel oil and cooking gas, he said.

Lines formed at bakeries on Sunday as Palestinians stockpiled food and factories and petrol stations were closed after Gaza's electricity generating station turned off the second of its two turbines.

"At least 800,000 people are now in darkness," said Derar Abu Sissi, general director of the plant. "The catastrophe will affect hospitals, medical clinics, water wells, houses, factories, all aspects of life."

Mekel questioned whether the complete shutdown of the generating plant was necessary, suggesting Hamas Islamists had a political interest in exaggerating the impact of the Israeli measures.

According to Israeli and Palestinian officials, Gazans ordinarily consume 200 megawatts of electricity, of which 65 are produced by the local power plant. The rest comes from Israel, which was continuing supply, and Egypt.

Israel tightened its cordon around Gaza on Friday by shutting all border crossings, cutting fuel supplies and even stopping U.N. humanitarian supplies, except in exceptional circumstances.