Israel approves the construction of a gas pipeline to Gaza

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The officials from Israel and the Palestine Authority have agreed on a deal to construct a natural gas pipeline that is to go from Israel into the Hamas-run Gaza Strip, The Times of Israel informs.

The region has an acute energy shortage today. Local utility authorities use an 8-hour on, 8-hour off pattern to provide enough energy for the citizens living on the territory. Gaza’s sole plant now runs at half of its 140 MW capacity. On Tuesday the Israeli government approved the project of a gas pipeline to be built to Gaza Strip.

“We want to help the population of Gaza and the first step is to improve the supply of energy and water… including laying a gas pipeline,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said during a visit to The Netherlands earlier this month.

Several foreign countries have already confirmed their participation in funding the construction of the pipeline, and the committee of donor states is going to meet in New York later this month. The Netherlands has been a key player in facilitating a feasibility study for the pipeline in cooperation with the United States, the United Nations, the European Union and Russia.