Power Cut in Gaza - Propaganda

Foreign Ministry Statement on Power Outages in Gaza Sunday

 20 January, 2008 22:47

"In response to media inquiries regarding power outages in Gaza, the Israel Foreign Ministry spokesman stated this evening (20/1/08):

"The supply of electricity to Gaza from the Israel and the Egyptian power grids (124 Megawatts and 17 Megawatts respectively) has continued uninterrupted. These 141 Megawatts of power represents about three quarters of Gaza's electricity needs.

"While the fuel supply from Israel into Gaza has indeed been reduced, due to the Hamas rocket attacks, the diversion of this fuel from domestic power generators to other uses is wholly a Hamas decision - apparently taken due to media and propaganda considerations.

"Noteworthy is the fact that while the Gaza population remains in the dark, the fuel generating power to the Hamas rocket manufacturing industry continues to flow unabated.

"The Hamas claim of humanitarian crisis in Gaza is also greatly exaggerated. There is no shortage of basic foodstuffs, and Gaza patients who need treatment in Israeli hospitals continue to travel into Israel for care. "

Israel's Haaretz prints, "A UN agency and human rights groups condemned Israel, but Israel said they should direct their criticism at Palestinian militant groups that fire rockets at southern Israel every day.

"Shlomo Dror, a spokesman for Israel's Defense Ministry, said Gaza has enough fuel and accused Palestinian officials of trying to create the impression of a crisis that did not exist. Israel sealed all crossings into Gaza last week because of a spike in rocket barrages against southern Israel from the territory. The fuel supply into Gaza was reduced several weeks ago as a pressure tactic.

"In addition to the fuel it receives from Israel to power its electrical plant, Gaza gets about two-thirds of its electricity directly from Israel. Israeli officials said that supply would not be affected. "

Meanwhile, Reuters and the AP as usual continue the propaganda war without checking the facts. Reuters published the following picture with a byline that stated 

"Palestinian children hold candles during a protest against fuel cuts,

 which led to a blackout in Gaza Sunday." (Reuters)

There is no mention of the fact that there is indeed electrical power coming into Gaza and it's HAMAS who is cutting the power to their people, not Israel!!! 

Under the headline below , AP writes:

Gaza City plunged into darkness by power cut after Israel blocks fuel supplies

By IBRAHIM BARZAK

Associated Press Writer

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) -- Gaza City was plunged into darkness Sunday after Israel blocked the shipment of fuel that powers its only electrical plant in retaliation for persistent rocket attacks by Gaza militants.

The power cut sent already beleaguered Gazans to stock up on food and batteries in anticipation of dark, cold days ahead. Gaza officials warned the move would cause a health catastrophe while a U.N. agency and human rights groups condemned Israel.

"We have the choice to either cut electricity on babies in the maternity ward or heart surgery patients or stop operating rooms," Gaza Health Ministry official Dr. Moaiya Hassanain said.

Four hours after the blackout, Hamas claimed that five patients died because of the cutoff of electricity in hospitals. The claim could not be confirmed.

Late Sunday, Israel carried out two airstrikes in Gaza City, Palestinian security officials said. The Israeli military confirmed both attacks in which a militant linked to Islamic Jihad was killed.

Israel justified the fuel cutoff because of continuous rocket attacks by Gaza militants. Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Arye Meckel said the Gaza Strip continues to receive 70 percent of its electricity supply directly from Israel, which would not be affected, and another 5 percent from Egypt.

The blackout "is a Hamas ploy to pretend there is some kind of crisis to attract international sympathy," Meckel told The Associated Press.

Note that only in paragraph 6 and 7 do they mention that Gaza still has electricity and that after Hamas claims 5 dead in the hospital!  And do they mention anywhere the 160 + missiles, rockets and Ketyushas that through God's protection have fallen alongside schools and pre-schools filled with children and not on top of them.