Egypt has come to the rescue of Gaza Strip, a Palestinian city suffering crippling shortage of fuel and natural gas.
Succour
came to the city as Egypt commenced supply of gas to its neighbouring
suffering the Gaza Strip after Israel stopped supplying the area.
came to the city as Egypt commenced supply of gas to its neighbouring
suffering the Gaza Strip after Israel stopped supplying the area.
Gaza’s monthly propane needs are about 8,000 tons a month.
Israel
used to allow the entry of between 5,000 to 6,000 tons, creating a
monthly deficit of about 2,000 to 3,000 tons but Israel has stopped
total supply.
used to allow the entry of between 5,000 to 6,000 tons, creating a
monthly deficit of about 2,000 to 3,000 tons but Israel has stopped
total supply.
Egypt started the supply of gas on August 5 to the Palestinian town, which continues to suffer from a huge shortage.
Khalil
Shakafa, director of the General Directorate of Petroleum in Gaza,
announced that Egypt had exported a shipment of 250 tons of propane
(liquefied petroleum gas) via the Rafah crossing. He added that
trucks carrying Egyptian gas will continue to enter the Gaza Strip
while technical arrangements for regular deliveries are finalized.
Shakafa, director of the General Directorate of Petroleum in Gaza,
announced that Egypt had exported a shipment of 250 tons of propane
(liquefied petroleum gas) via the Rafah crossing. He added that
trucks carrying Egyptian gas will continue to enter the Gaza Strip
while technical arrangements for regular deliveries are finalized.
Israeli
Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman announced that they had cut supply of
fuel and natural gas to the Strip through the Kerem Shalom crossing in
response to the continued attacks by flaming kites
from Gaza.
Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman announced that they had cut supply of
fuel and natural gas to the Strip through the Kerem Shalom crossing in
response to the continued attacks by flaming kites
from Gaza.
The
Kerem Shalom crossing is the only commercial crossing for residents of
the Strip, and Israel is tightening its grip on the entry and exit of
goods, including fuel and natural gas.
Kerem Shalom crossing is the only commercial crossing for residents of
the Strip, and Israel is tightening its grip on the entry and exit of
goods, including fuel and natural gas.
Well-informed
Palestinian sources in Gaza told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity
that Egypt has taken other measures to alleviate the people’s difficult
living conditions, such as allowing Palestinians
to travel to Saudi Arabia for pilgrimage, which has been forbidden
since 2014.
Palestinian sources in Gaza told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity
that Egypt has taken other measures to alleviate the people’s difficult
living conditions, such as allowing Palestinians
to travel to Saudi Arabia for pilgrimage, which has been forbidden
since 2014.
The
sources said Cairo agreed Aug. 5 to export Egyptian gas to Gaza and
keep the Rafah crossing open to facilitate travel for Palestinians.
sources said Cairo agreed Aug. 5 to export Egyptian gas to Gaza and
keep the Rafah crossing open to facilitate travel for Palestinians.
Osama
Nofal, director general of the Planning and Policy Department at the
Ministry of Economy in Gaza, confirmed that Gaza needs regular and
sustainable imports of Egyptian gas to cover its deficit.
Nofal, director general of the Planning and Policy Department at the
Ministry of Economy in Gaza, confirmed that Gaza needs regular and
sustainable imports of Egyptian gas to cover its deficit.
Nofal
said the Palestinian Authority is the “ultimate loser” in the equation.
Gaza’s Finance Ministry is expected to collect the taxes on Egyptian
gas, costing the PA the $26 million per month it collected
from fuel introduced to Gaza.
said the Palestinian Authority is the “ultimate loser” in the equation.
Gaza’s Finance Ministry is expected to collect the taxes on Egyptian
gas, costing the PA the $26 million per month it collected
from fuel introduced to Gaza.
The
ministry said in an Aug. 6 press statement that Egyptian gas is
purchased at international prices, adding the costs of transportation
and insurance once it reaches Gaza. The ministry added that the
Gaza government takes in about three shekels (81 cents) on each gas
cylinder, “including the technical and administrative costs, as well as
the costs of monitoring and distribution to gas stations.”
ministry said in an Aug. 6 press statement that Egyptian gas is
purchased at international prices, adding the costs of transportation
and insurance once it reaches Gaza. The ministry added that the
Gaza government takes in about three shekels (81 cents) on each gas
cylinder, “including the technical and administrative costs, as well as
the costs of monitoring and distribution to gas stations.”
The
Finance Ministry’s tax on fuel derivatives such as propane sold in the
Palestinian market, known as the “blue tax,” is one of the world’s
highest. The tax comes as part of the Paris Protocol that regulates
economic relations between Israel and Palestine.
Finance Ministry’s tax on fuel derivatives such as propane sold in the
Palestinian market, known as the “blue tax,” is one of the world’s
highest. The tax comes as part of the Paris Protocol that regulates
economic relations between Israel and Palestine.
Samir
Hamadeh, head of the gas committee of the Gas Company Owners
Association in Gaza, told Al-Monitor that the price of one kilogram
(0.26 gallon) of Egyptian propane will be similar to the Israeli price
of five shekels, about $1.50.
Hamadeh, head of the gas committee of the Gas Company Owners
Association in Gaza, told Al-Monitor that the price of one kilogram
(0.26 gallon) of Egyptian propane will be similar to the Israeli price
of five shekels, about $1.50.
Hamadeh
said the gas is being supplied in coordination with Egyptian
authorities and the Finance Ministry in Gaza, and technical arrangements
are being made to provide more Egyptian gas tankers.
said the gas is being supplied in coordination with Egyptian
authorities and the Finance Ministry in Gaza, and technical arrangements
are being made to provide more Egyptian gas tankers.
The Palestinian sources said the Gaza Strip’s imports of Egyptian gas started under an agreement reached during a June 26 visit to Cairo by a Gaza Strip government delegation. The group met with Egyptian
officials to discuss implementing economic projects for Gaza, including a free trade zone on the border.
officials to discuss implementing economic projects for Gaza, including a free trade zone on the border.
Yusuf al-Kayali, Gaza’s deputy finance minister and a member of the government delegation, said in a July 11 press statement that the visit was “fruitful and successful,” as the Egyptian side agreed to
provide basic supplies for Gaza residents including gasoline, diesel and propane.
provide basic supplies for Gaza residents including gasoline, diesel and propane.
Shakafa
said Egyptian gas won’t serve as a substitute for Israeli fuel and that
Gaza still needs 2,000 to 3,000 tons more propane per month.
said Egyptian gas won’t serve as a substitute for Israeli fuel and that
Gaza still needs 2,000 to 3,000 tons more propane per month.
Gazans hope the Egyptian gas will lead to greater economic cooperation with Egypt.
Meanwhile,
they dream of extracting their own gas from the Gaza Marine field,
which lies 37 kilometers (23 miles) off the coast of the Gaza Strip.
they dream of extracting their own gas from the Gaza Marine field,
which lies 37 kilometers (23 miles) off the coast of the Gaza Strip.
The field, discovered in the 1990s, contains an estimated trillion cubic feet of natural gas.
The
development of such a field would generate $2 billion in annual
revenues to Palestine and end the need to import gas. Work on it is
expected to start in 2021, provided Israel voices no objections.
development of such a field would generate $2 billion in annual
revenues to Palestine and end the need to import gas. Work on it is
expected to start in 2021, provided Israel voices no objections.
