Hamas: Egypt increases fuel shipments to Gaz

Egypt has increased the delivery of Qatari-donated fuel to the Gaza Strip's sole power plant, the Hamas-run Palestinian Energy Authority said. Starting on Tuesday, the fuel delivered to the coastal strip increased to 400,000 liters per day. An increase in fuel delivery will contribute to expanding operation capacity of the power plant, which was damaged by an Israeli airstrike in 2006. Repair work was completed this week, but Palestinians said fuel supplies are not enough to run the power plant on full capacity. Egypt's decision to send more fuel was announced by the Hamas- controlled Gaza government following a meeting between its head Ismail Haneya and Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi last Thursday in Cairo. Qatar donated 30 million liters of diesel in April, which has been sitting in the port of Suez. Due to power shortage, business and homes in Gaza are depending on diesel-run generators for electricity. The power shortage is expected to continue as the power plant's four generators need 600,000 liters of fuel per day. Hamas says it cannot afford buying expensive diesel from Israel to run the plant.