Gaza, Israel Spar Over Power Outage, Embargo

Israel resolute amid condemnations, worries situation could spin out of control
By Lucas Laursen,  Newser Staff
Posted Jan 21, 2008 8:16 AM CST
Gaza, Israel Spar Over Power Outage, Embargo
Palestinian fishing boats are seen at the port in Gaza City, Monday, Jan. 21, 2008. Gaza City awoke Monday to shuttered bread shops and gas stations, prompting officials to warn of a possible humanitarian crisis as Israel pressed ahead with efforts to stop Palestinian rocket fire, refusing to reopen...   (Associated Press)

Gazans awoke to a second day without its main power plant or fuel as international leaders condemned the “collective punishment of the people of Gaza,” and Israeli PM Ehud Olmert resolutely said Gazans "will walk, without gas for their cars" until their "murderous regime's" rocket attacks cease. World leaders, meanwhile, worry the situation will spiral out of control, the AP reports.

Hamas leaders call the situation a “crisis,” while Israelis say those claims are exaggerated since Israel has not cut off the electricity it supplies Gaza during the blockade, now in its fourth day. Gaza health officials contradicted Hamas’ claims that five people died due to power shortages. Gaza shut down its 65-megawatt power plant yesterday, due to an alleged blockade-imposed lack of fuel. (More Gaza stories.)

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