Israeli fuel entering Gaza to ease power crisis

GAZA CITY - The Associated Press

Palestinian boys hold a poster of children reading "Rescue Gaza" as another flashes the victory sign near the southern Gaza Strip's Rafah border crossing with Egypt on April 3, 2012 during a protest against the electricity crisis. AFP photo

A Gaza official says Israeli fuel is being trucked to the Gaza Strip to power the Palestinian territory's only electricity station and ease a severe power shortage.

Gaza crossing official Raed Fattouh confirmed Wednesday that the fuel was being shipped.

The announcement comes a day after a spokesman for Gaza's Hamas government, Taher Nunu, said Hamas would buy enough fuel daily to power the plant.

The West Bank-based Palestinian Authority will conduct the purchase because Hamas and Israel shun each other.

Fuel smuggled from Egypt used to be the main source of Gaza's energy. But Egypt cut off the flow two months ago over a dispute with Hamas over fuel delivery and payment.

The fuel is for the power station and won't alleviate shortages that have idled vehicles across the territory.