Qatari-bought fuel arrived at the Gaza Strip's only power station after entering through Israel on Tuesday in a bid to alleviate conditions in the Palestinian enclave, a Hamas spokesman and sources said. The delivery could help ease months of protests and clashes along the border between Israel and Hamas-run Gaza, which has been under a crippling Israeli blockade for more than a decade.
But it was met with criticism by officials close to Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas, whose rival administration was not involved. UN officials and Egypt have in recent weeks pursued indirect talks between Islamist movement Hamas and Israel. Israeli officials however refused comment on the delivery.
A Palestinian source at the Kerem Shalom crossing in southern Gaza - the only goods crossing between the Gaza Strip and Israel - said six trucks carrying 450,000 litres of fuel crossed Tuesday. AFP journalists saw at least one truck arriving at the power station in Gaza City.