The Gaza Strip’s only power plant became non-operational on Jan. 20, just over two days after Israeli defense minister Ehud Barak suspended fuel supplies.
According to a Gaza power plant official, at least 800,000 of Gaza’s 1.5 million residents were in the dark, and hospitals, medical clinics, water wells, houses, factories all were affected. Premature babies and patients in critical condition were put at high risk. Sewage spilled onto the streets.
The fuel suspension—the most severe escalation to date of the ongoing Israeli blockade—is part and parcel of the U.S.-Israel policy of collective punishment of Palestinians. The day after the fuel suspension, Israel bombed the Hamas-run Interior Ministry, knowing it had been empty since a previous attack. One Palestinian woman was killed and at least 46 others injured in the crowded neighborhood.
On Jan. 22, Israel allowed a very small amount of fuel into Gaza. This was a token gesture to prevent mass condemnation of colonial Israel among international allies. That same day, a women’s march from Gaza pushed through the border gate with Egypt. Their demand was to open the gate to allow free travel at the border crossing. Egyptian guards used water cannons and teargas on the women.
The U.N. Security Council is discussing a draft resolution submitted by Libya, calling on Israel to end its blockade of Gaza and ensure “unhindered access for humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian people.”
The statement urges Israel “to abide by its obligation under international law, including humanitarian and human rights law, and immediately to cease all its illegal measures and practices against the Palestinian civilian population in the Gaza Strip.”
However, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Zalmay Khalilzad, rejected the current draft as unacceptable because “it does not talk about the rocket attacks on innocent Israelis.” Washington is once again endorsing and promoting collective punishment against Palestinians to support its racist client-state, Israel.
