The Petroleum Ministry is awaiting the Palestinian Authority's response to Egypt's offer to supply Gaza with 400,000 to 500,000 liters of diesel at a price of US$1000 per ton at the end of March.
A senior official from the Petroleum Ministry told Al-Masry Al-Youm that the Palestinians have chosen to take local Egyptian supplies of gas, which are cheaper than imported gas supplies.
The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Egypt will hand over the diesel at the Rafah border crossing and Palestinian authorities will transport it into Gaza.
He added that Egypt is serious about solving the crisis in Gaza out of a feeling of historic responsibility, adding that he expects the crisis to ease within a week.
The Egyptian and Palestinian sides had agreed that a joint committee would discuss how to supply Gaza with fuel and draft a trade agreement.
Ismail Haniyeh, a senior Hamas leader and head of the dismissed government in Gaza, on Friday accused Egypt of causing the power crisis that led to power blackouts in the Gaza strip.
Power cuts in Gaza began in mid-February, with families only having power for six hours a day. This has led to criticism within Hamas.
Haniyeh said Egypt is controlling the flow of gas into Gaza and that Egyptian authorities should make more effort to help following the ouster of ex-President Hosni Mubarak.
In his weekly address, Haniyeh said, “Is it logical for Gaza to remain without power one year after the revolution broke out in Egypt?”
Translated from Al-Masry Al-Youm
