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Israeli occupation causes gas crisis in Gaza

The large majority of Gaza Strip’s propane refill stations have shut their doors this week after having run out of propane as Israeli authorities dangerously reduce the quantity of gas supplied to the region.

“The continuing reduction in the amount of gas permitted into the Gaza Strip has led most of the refill stations to stop operation, risking a severe crisis, especially in light of the cold weather,” Samir Hamada, the head of Gaza’s gas committee, told the PIC.

The gas allowed into the enclave began steadily decreasing on October 1, and then increasingly shrunk until the present crisis shell-shocked the Strip this month.

“The downsizing increased this month. Israeli authorities only allowed four to five trucks into Gaza daily at a rate of 60 to 80 tons, while the daily requirement is ten trucks at 200 tons,” Hamada said. A daily average of 180 tons of gas was previously imported before October this year.

Israel justifies the current downsizing by claiming dysfunctions at the propane station. Hamada dismissed the claim saying it is only rational to rely on more than one station.

The Gaza Strip had previously suffocated from a propane crisis that forced citizens to use primitive cooking equipment.

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