In what appears a different diplomatic move, Egypt has offered to provide the Gaza Strip with more electricity in return for cooperation in counter-terrorism measures Cairo is undertaking.
The announcement comes after the Israeli security cabinet yesterday approved a 40 per cent reduction in Israel’s electricity supply to the besieged Gaza Strip, “in response to a request by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas”.
According to a report from the London-based Arabic daily newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat, Egypt has since offered Hamas increased electricity supply and more freedom at the Rafah border crossing in exchange for a list of security demands.
Egypt has reportedly demanded Hamas hand over 17 men wanted by Cairo on terrorism charges, more protection by Hamas at the border, the cessation of alleged weapons smuggling into the Sinai Peninsula, and information on the movement of “elements” into Gaza via underground tunnels.
According to Asharq al-Awsat, the demands were presented by Egyptian security officials to the head of Hamas’ political bureau in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar, during his nine-day trip to Cairo that ended yesterday.
It remained unclear to what extent Egypt is capable of mitigating Gaza’s power crisis, since the power lines from Egypt that supply electricity to southern Gaza are often out of operation due to technical issues. When the Egyptian lines do work, they provide 25 megawatts – just 6.25 per cent of the amount necessary to power Gaza for a full day.
