EU: Gaza fuel funding depends on Hamas

The European Union said Monday it would resume the financing of fuel deliveries to Gaza only when it gets assurances that Hamas will not introduce taxes on electricity bills.

Power was cut in parts of the Gaza Strip on Sunday after the EU halted funding for fuel deliveries to the impoverished territory’s sole power plant.


The government of Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas, formed in the West Bank after Hamas took over Gaza, charged the group with responsibility for the power shortage. It said the EU ceased payment because Hamas took over the electricity company and started collecting the revenues.

The EU said it had decided on Thursday that it would suspend the payments for security reasons, particularly due to tensions at the crossing points into Gaza.

“We’ve also been given understand that Hamas plans to introduce taxes on electricity bills in the Gaza strip. … this would not allow us to continue paying for fuel,” said EU spokeswoman Antonia Mochan.

Jerusalem Post